ABSTRACT

Operational command is at the core of all incident command situations. e operational element is the one that directly addresses the threat. e other major components of incident command (logistics, planning, and nance/ administration) exist to support the core operations. In the vast majority of critical incidents, the other three sections are not activated because most incidents are resolved before these components are needed. e strength of the Incident Command System (ICS) is that it is component based, and only those elements that are needed are activated. It is safe to say that every spontaneous incident starts with some sort of operational command, even if it starts with only one rst responder arriving at the scene of the incident. at rst arriving responder, whether it is a police o- cer, reghter, or paramedic, would in essence be the operations section “chief” and incident commander, all rolled into one. In the vast majority of incidents, the ICS does not expand beyond the rst arriving responders, as the incident is resolved before a formal ICS is established.