SLATT_Module 6_Incident Command

Equipment selection

Resource and Personnel Management

CommunicationManagement

Establishment of IncidentCommand

Incident command is fluid, relying upon the senior-most person on scene. Understand that if you are the ranking officer, it will be up to you to create the command structure and establish a command post. Prepare for this moment ahead of time by studying and rehearsing your agency’s protocols for incident command. It will be easier for your fellow officers to fold into the response if you are using your organizational protocols. As an incident commander, it is important to remember the basics and focus on what is important now. Incident commanders should take one decision at a time without getting paralyzed by the complexity of the situation.

Establishing Incident Command

Once a command post exists, incoming responding officers should not self-deploy but, rather, make immediate contact with the command post. Sending at least one officer to the command post assists in the task of collecting and disseminating real-time information. This is particularly important with multiagency responses when direct radio communication between agencies is limited or unavailable. If there is no direct communication, that designated officer from your agency can disseminate up-to-date information from the command post to your agency’s responding units.

REsource and Personnel Management

Once on scene you must make use of whatever equipment you have at your disposal at that time. Being able to select equipment is entirely dependent on how well-stocked your go bag is, your level of training, and is limited to what can be carried into the event. Choose equipment wisely. Only carry what you anticipate being able to use. Time is critical once on scene, and prior preparation, including maintaining a readily accessible, fully stocked go bag, is essential.

Limited Equipment

Incident command should monitor social media for useful information, images, and videos coming from witnesses to the incident, and to identify any disinformation being circulated online. Monitoring communication channels where information can flow to and from the public is a critical-incident command activity. Prepare for media engagement and consult with your public information officers when they arrive on scene. It is important that the command post provides accurate and timely information to the public to minimize negative second-order effects that emerge from the attack.

Communication Management