COMMAND FUNCTIONS & TACTICAL MODES

            Command Functions

            The following Command functions are identified within the Incident Command System.

¨                  Crew Commander

¨                  Sector Commander

¨                  Operations Commander

¨                  Incident Commander

¨                  Command Support

Command Function – Identification on the Fireground

           Standard identification (surcoats/tabards/armbands) for Command Functions within I.C.S.

            Safety

                  Throughout incidents the ICS coloured tabard system for Role Identification will be worn.

           However, if for any reason there will be a compromise on PPE, safety ie

            Tactical Modes

            There are three tactical modes of operation.   These modes have been agreed and will be consistent across all CACFOA East Midlands Brigades.

¨                  Offensive

¨                  Defensive

¨                  Transitional

            Tactical Mode is a method of confirming the result of the Dynamic Risk Assessment at every incident.

            The tactical modes must be stated at all working incidents and updated immediately a change of tactical mode occurs.   It should also be confirmed at least every 20 minutes.

            Failure by Command Support to pass this information will produce an immediate prompt from Brigade Control to declare the current tactical mode.

            Offensive

            This mode may apply to a sector, or the entire incident.

            Offensive mode is the mode of operations when the dynamic risk         
            assessment indicates that the risk is proportional to the benefit and that 
            satisfactory control measures can be put into place to ensure a Safe         
            System of Work.

            This mode applies where the operations are taking place within the area    
            of greater risk.  E.g. Rescues from buildings, house fires, industrial fires,  
            road traffic accidents, chemical incidents.

            Incident Commander MUST ensure that the benefits of entering the area of risk justify the increased hazards to which personnel are exposed in Offensive Mode.

            Defensive

             This mode may apply to a sector or the entire incident.

            Defensive mode is the mode of operation when the dynamic risk assessment indicates that the risk is outweighs the benefits and that satisfactory control measures can NOT be put into place to ensure a Safe System of Work.

            This mode applies where the operations are taking place outside the area of greater risk.  eg  fighting the fire externally, protecting exposure risks and adjoining property.

            Transitional

            This mode may only apply to the whole incident and NOT to individual sectors alone.

           This mode is used where the Incident Commander intends a shift in the mode of operations or where a combination of both Offensive and Defensive modes are in operation within different sectors at the same incident.

            eg  A ‘Transitional Mode’ would be adopted for example where:

·        a building fire being fought externally with sectors in Defensive Mode has an annex that can be saved, safely, by using an Offensive Mode ie by fighting the fire inside the annex.  Here there would be, say, three sectors in Defensive Mode and one in Offensive Mode.  This incident would be Transitional.

·        a Defensive approach is being utilised only as an interim measure.  Until further measures arrive, which will enable the Offensive Mode to be established and an attack on the fire to commence.

·        Where different sectors are in differing tactical modes the Incident Commander MUST ensure the actions of Defensive sectors do not endanger personnel in Offensive sectors ie water jet from aerial appliances.