SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Chapter VI
Command and Company Procedures
Incident Command
Purpose
The effective functioning of Fire Department units and personnel at operating incidents requires clear
decisive action on the part of an Incident Commander. This procedure is to be employed in establishing
Command and operating a Command Post. It also fixes responsibility for the Command function and its
associated duties on one individual at any time during the operations.
The Incident Commander is responsible for the Command functions at all times. As the identity of the
Incident Commander changes, through transfers of Command, this responsibility shifts with the title. The
term “Command” in this procedure refers jointly to both the person and the function.
Objective
To provide for safe, efficient, and effective operations at each incident.
Scope
The Incident Command system shall be established at all incidents.
Responsibility
The first Officer on the scene shall be responsible for implementation of the Incident Command system. As
higher-ranking Officers arrive at the incident, they may choose to either take Command or may leave the
Incident Command with the original Commander.
Policy
A. The Incident Command System shall be implemented by the first arriving Fire Department unit.
Each unit shall have an Officer assigned or designated. For example; this Officer shall establish
Command on arrival by saying, ”______(unit number)” is establishing Ocoee Street Command.”
B. As higher ranking Officers arrive on the scene, they have the option of taking Command. When
higher-ranking Officers choose not to take Command, they shall report to the Command post and
serve as a resource or accept assignments given to them by the Incident Commander.
C. Transfer of Command shall take place on a face to face basis, whenever possible, to facilitate
communication and feedback. If face to face communication is not practical, transfer of Command
may be done by radio. Either way, the Communications Center should be notified of the change
of Command.
D. Incidents are to be given a specific name to avoid confusion when multiple incidents are in
progress.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 146
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley