The person who generally facilitates the operational period brief is usually the Planning Section Chief, as this person will be responsible for making sure that the briefing goes well and that all necessary information is conveyed. However, it is also possible to have multiple individuals facilitate the operational period brief. In this article, I will discuss the role of the Planning Section Chief and different types of briefings.
Plans Section Chief
The Plans Section Chief facilitates an operational period brief and provides the Command Staff with operational and situational information. This information is critical to understanding the current situation, predicting the likely course of events and preparing alternative strategies. The brief should be conducted as frequently as necessary, with frequent and regular updates to the Incident Action Plan.
During an incident, the Plans Section Chief monitors the implementation of the Incident Action Plan and assists in developing contingency plans. He also participates in Forward-Planning activities to anticipate operational needs in the future. In addition, the Plans Section Chief manages staff rosters and manages the planning process, identifying the expected time frames for meetings, preparing materials, and analyzing information. The Planning Section Chief also works with other command staff members to coordinate the execution of the incident plan, develop alternative strategies, and prepare incident status reports.
The Planning Section Chief is responsible for ensuring that all Planning Functions are carried out. They coordinate with other local EOC Sections, conduct Advance Planning activities, conduct Incident Action Plan reviews, and document all activities conducted by the MACC. They also determine the level of staffing needed and monitor the effectiveness of their operations.
Field-level briefings
The operational period briefing, also known as the shift briefing, is held at the start of each shift of the operation. It provides critical operational information and aims to ensure that operational resources are properly deployed and are ready to respond to the mission. The briefing consists of several parts.
The briefing generally involves capturing key information and conveying it to all relevant parties. It is typically facilitated by the staff or operational resource, such as a crew stationed near the incident site. The briefing should capture the critical elements, such as the number and complexity of the incident.
Field-level briefings are generally conducted at the incident site or Command Post. They involve individual subordinates, a full crew, or multiple crews. These briefs typically occur at the beginning of the assignment or as needed during the assignment. The objective of the brief is to help the subordinates focus on the specific task assigned to them, as well as define their reporting relationships and expectations.
Incident Action Plan
An Incident Action Plan (IAP) is an organization-level document used to guide incident response. It provides clear strategic direction and includes a comprehensive list of tactical objectives, resources, and reserves. It also outlines a sequence of events. An Incident Action Plan should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in operational conditions. It is crucial that the plan be updated at least once a year. Each incident will have a different sequence of events.
The Operations Section Chief is responsible for developing response strategies and coordinating the preparation of an Incident Action Plan. He also oversees the tracking and assignment of incident personnel and ensures that appropriate safety measures are implemented. In addition, the Operations Section Chief coordinates all command staff activities, approves requests for additional resources, and coordinates the use of volunteers and trainees. The IAP also outlines an Incident Status Summary and demobilization plan.
The Incident Commander determines the operational period, which may be a short or long period. The length of the operational period varies depending on the type of incident. It can range from two hours to 24 hours. However, it should not coincide with the hospital shift schedule. If the incident progresses and response efforts need to be intensified, the duration of the incident may be extended or decreased.
Incident Resources
The primary LNO is responsible for the management of all air operations activities associated with the incident. He or she establishes procedures for emergency reassignment of incident aircraft and coordinates with appropriate Command Centers. He or she also maintains the Unit Log. The primary LNO participates in incident planning meetings, and keeps agency representatives informed of incident status and operations.
The Incident Action Plan (IAP) is created to guide incident management and coordination. It is an ongoing process that involves integrating the various elements of the incident planning cycle to achieve incident objectives. The IAP identifies support needs, sets up check-in functions, and coordinates activities for command staff. It also outlines resource requirements, reporting schedules, and special information collection activities. It also coordinates emergency public information and warnings.
The ICS includes a series of documents that provide a brief overview of the incident. These documents also serve as a permanent record of initial response. In addition to defining the initial response, ICS 202 explains the basic strategy for each operational period. It also contains information about the response organization, personnel staffing, and assignments.