Explain the purpose of NIMS. National Incident Management System - correct answer Provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government,
... [Show More] private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.
Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents and hazard scenarios, regardless of size or complexity.
Improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of domestic incident management activities.
Prior to NIMS there were no standards for domestic incident response that reached across all levels of gov. and all emergency response agencies. NIMS changed that by establishing national standards national standards for incident operations, incident communications, personnel qualifications, resource and information management and supporting technology.
Explain the NIMS impact on the telecommunicator - correct answer -The initial assessment of call details becomes even more critical at the PSAP.
-The early determination of a hazard and the appropriate notifications are essential.
-Telecommunicators must update event records, call history and information from callers and the response units to best assess the true nature of the call.
-The telecommunicator must understand that additional questions and pre-arrival instructions can have a significant impact on the final outcome of events as they evolve.
Outline the history and development of ICS - Incident Command System - correct answer An integral part of NIMS is the Incident Command System. The ICS method used to effectively manage resources and personnel during an incident. In some cities, the fire and police departments have worked together using ICS for years. While ICS was first pioneered by the fire service, it is, at its core, a management system designed to integrate resources to effectively attack a common problem. In the early 1970's, a series of major wildfires in Southern California prompted municipal, county, state and Federal fire authorities to form and organization knows as "Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE).
ICS is widely applicable and is used to organize both short-term and long-term field-level operations. Used by all levels of government, as well as by many private sector and non-governmental organizations, ICS is applicable across disciplines.
Describe the principles and concepts of ICS - correct answer Operates in a top-down fashion based on the size of the complexity of the incident, as well as the specifics of the hazard environment created by the incident. Responsibility lies with Incident Command (IC).
-Suitable for any operation from single jurisdiction or single agency to multiple jurisdictions with multi-agency involvement.
- Applicable to users throughout the country.
- Readily adaptable to new technology.
-Have a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the incident.
Describe the Command Staff function - correct answer Command Staff consists of the Incident Command (IC) and various staff positions. Three staff positions typically identified in ICS are Public Information Officer (PIO), Safety Officer (SO) and Liason Officer (LNO). Command Staff is responsible for over management of the incident.
Explain the telecommunicator's role in the Command Staff function. - correct answer -One of the most important job functions of a telecommunicator, during emergency situations or otherwise, is responder safety.
-The telecommunicator assists with responder safety by constantly monitoring all radio traffic as approved by PSAP policy.
- Telecommunicators must be prepared for unexpected radio transmissions from any unit at any time.
- Need to be aware of their PSAPs procedure for emergency evacuation of an incident scene. Typically this includes a radio transmission to evacuate and possible further audible notifications by radio pager, etc.
Describe the General Staff function. - correct answer Responsible for the functional aspects of the incident command structure. The General Staff typically consists of the Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance/Admin Sections.
Explain the telecommunicator's role in the General Staff function? - correct answer - As an incident progresses, the telecommunicator will be responsible for maintaining records of operational progress.
-Through routine radio traffic from the IC, a telecommunicator will be given vital bits of info than can be used to draw a timeline of exact incident progression.
-Comprehensive Incident Management relies upon the maintenance of a "common operational picture" that all responders, at all levels can access.
Organizational Functions - correct answer Major functions and functional units with incident responsibilities are named and defined.
Common terminology is an essential part of ICS - correct answer
Resource Descriptions - correct answer Personnel, equipment and supply items are given common names to avoid confusion and to enhance interoperability.
Incident Facilities - correct answer Common terminology is used to designate the facilities in the vicinity of the incident area that will be used in the course of incident management activities.
Incident Command Post (CP) - correct answer The location of on-scene incident command. It typically houses the IC (Incident Command) and immediate staff.
Staging Area - correct answer Established for temporary location of available resources not immediately assigned. It can be any location in which personnel, supplies and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting operational assignment.
Triage Area - correct answer Designated location where all injured parties are brought to be assessed for medical attention. Medical personnel determine the severity of the injuries and make recommendations for transport or medical care. [Show Less]