What Is Responsible For The Completion Of Strategic And Tactical Priorities

2.5 Responsibilities of Command

The IC is responsible for the completion of the strategic and tactical priorities:
• locate and remove endangered occupants and treat the injured;
• stabilize the incident and provide for life safety;
• conserve property; and
• provide for the safety, accountability, and welfare of responding personnel (this priority is ongoing throughout the incident).
The ICS is used to facilitate the completion of the tactical priorities. The IC is the person who drives the ICS toward that end. The IC is responsible for building a Command structure that matches the organizational needs of the incident to achieve the completion of the tactical priorities for the incident. The functions of Command define standard activities

The initial IC shall remain in Command until Command is transferred or the incident is stabilized and terminated.
The first unit or member on the scene must initiate whatever parts of the ICS are needed to manage the incident scene effectively.
The first-arriving Civil defence and fire department department unit activates the Command process by giving an initial radio report that includes:
•unit designation of the unit arriving on the scene;
•a brief description of the incident situation (i.e., building size, occupancy, hazmat release, multivehicle accident, etc.);
•obvious conditions (working Civil defence and fire department, hazmat spill, collapsed building, multiple patients, etc.);
•brief description of action taken;
•assumption, identification, and location of Command; and
•request or release resources as required.
2.6 Command Options

The responsibility of the first-arriving unit or member to assume command of the incident presents several options, depending on the situation. If a Chief Officer, member, or unit without tactical capabilities (i.e., staff vehicle, no equipment, etc.) initiates Command, the establishment of an ICP should be a top priority. At most incidents, the initial IC is a Company Officer (CO). The following Command options define the CO's direct involvement in tactical activities and the modes of Command that may be used.

In these situations, the CO goes with the crew to provide the appropriate level of supervision. Examples of these situations include
•initial search and rescue of surface victims;
•critical life safety situations (e.g., rescue) that must be achieved in a compressed time;
•any incident where the safety and welfare of firefighters are of major concern; and
•obvious working incidents that require further investigation by the CO.

2.6.3 Command Mode

Certain incidents, by virtue of their size, complexity, or potential for rapid expansion, require immediate strong, direct, overall Command. In such cases, the CO initially assumes an exterior, safe, and effective Command position and maintains that position until relieved by a higher- ranking officer. A tactical worksheet should be initiated and used to assist in managing this type of incident.If the CO selects the Command Mode, the following options are available regarding the assignment of the remaining crew members:
•The officer may "move up" within the company and place the company into action with the remaining members. One of the crew members will serve as the acting CO andshould be provided with a portable radio. The collective and individual capabilities and experience of the crew regulate this