The operational brief is a meeting where the whole team is informed and accountable for ensuring that activities take place according to plan. This meeting will be led by the unit adjutant who will be responsible for recording and distributing the information. The aim of the briefing is to ensure that all the team members understand the mission, and the objectives and activities for the operation.
Planning Section Chief
The operational brief is a meeting held to assess the progress of an incident. It is generally facilitated by the chief of the Planning Section. This officer should be familiar with the location and mission of the unit, as well as the last operational period that unit has undergone. The chief will act as a moderator for the meeting, asking questions during the presentation.
The Chief of the Operations Section also prepares a draft version of the organization and hazards assessment worksheet. The IC and the Operations Section Chief then work together to refine this draft product and present it to the Planning Meeting. The Chief of the Planning Section also helps with the preparation of the Tactics Meeting.
The Chief of the Planning Section coordinates with the Safety Officer and the Technical Specialist to ensure that appropriate strategies and tactics are being implemented. He or she develops work assignments and allocates resources based on strategic requirements. They also provide input to the risk/hazard analysis and identify appropriate PPE options.
The operational brief is an important management tool. It helps the entire team understand what they need to accomplish. It also helps employees navigate the daily tasks and problems that they face.
Transfer of command briefing
In the Transfer of Command (TOC) briefing, the transfer of command from one command to another is typically made after the IC has prepared a basic incident action plan (IAP). This initial briefing is often presented orally to other responders and continues to evolve until the designated operational period has passed and normal operations are resumed. The purpose of the TCB is to give a comprehensive understanding of the incident and the situation to help the Command make the right decisions.
The Command function is performed through the Incident Commander and Unified Command. The decision of which command to use depends on functional and legal jurisdiction. Single Command generally involves a single Incident Commander, who establishes the incident objectives and ensures that all functional areas work together to achieve them. In contrast, Unified Command uses multiple ranking personnel to collectively perform the Command function. Each resource under their supervision has a supervisor who is responsible for providing coordination and support to the incident response.
In large incidents, the Command should designate an Operations Section Chief, and other Section Chiefs, as appropriate. The Command will conduct incident briefings periodically, usually at the ICP. The agenda of these face-to-face briefings should include the topics listed in Exhibit 5-3. The objective of these briefings is to inform key staff and to evaluate the IAP.