Why are we here?

• An opportunity to discuss the practical application of Unified Command concepts – focusing on the first 30 minutes of a response

• To build a culture of better understanding and applying a confident approach to Unified Command concepts

Discussion

• Successfully transition from Incident Command to Unified Command

• Gain an understanding other first responders’ perspectives, needs, and mission

• Increased confidence applying Unified Command concepts in multidiscipline responses

• Understanding how Unity of Command can still be maintained in a Unified Command environment

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How Will This Benefit Me and My Organization/Jurisdiction?

Strong Unified Command PROMOTES Mission Success

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Reality !

First on Scene – Law Enforcement – Initial Actions:

• Block Traffic

• Request Additional Units

• Check Victims

• Request Fire & EMS

• Call for Wreckers

> Fire & EMS Arrive On Scene (Actions Change)

• Move into Investigative Mode

• Document, Discovery, Etc..

• Clearing Vehicles

• Clean Up

• Return to Service

Reality !

First on Scene Fire & EMS – Initial Actions:

• Block Traffic

• Establish Incident Command

• Scene Size-Up, Assessment

• Check for Victim(s)

• Request Additional Units

• Initiate Extrication, Treatment, Hazard Control

• Transport patients – Ground or Air

• Clean Up

• Documentation

• Return to Service

Reality ? ? ?

Law Enforcement – I’m in charge, why are they messing with my

scene?

– This is going to be a lot of paperwork!

– Traffic is backing up!

– Why are those fire engines blocking those lanes?

– Why do they keep taking people before I get their information?

– Why are they sending the patient to the farthest hospital?

Reality ? ? ?

Fire/EMS – I’m in charge, why are they messing with my

scene?

– Why are they blocking the scene? We need to get our trucks closer!

– They are worried about investigating the cause while we still have victims to transport!

– Why is LE delaying EMS response to the hospital?

Reality ? ? ?

VDOT – I’m in charge, its my road

– They are worried about investigating the cause, I need to open the roadway!

– Why are the lanes blocked, nothing is going on?

– Why wont they tell me what's going on?

– The TOC’s calling, I don’t know what to tell them!

Fix Reality !

Our Objectives are the SAME!

Establish Unified Command

• Incident Command:

– Single agency responsible

– Single set of objectives

• Unified Command:

– All agencies with responsibility to set common objectives

– Allows for joint decisions

– Maintains unity of command

RANK DOES NOT MATTER!

Right person - Right place - Right job

Incident Command VS. Unified Command

Advantages of Using Unified Command

• A single set of objectives is developed for the entire incident

• A collective approach is used to develop incident objectives

• Information flow and coordination are improved

• No agency’s legal authority is compromised or neglected

• Each agency has complete knowledge of the plans and actions

• Duplicative efforts are reduced or eliminated increasing the overall cost-effectiveness of the effort and minimizing potential conflicts

Establish Command

• Situational Awareness

– Units - Conditions - Actions - Needs (UCAN)

• U - What units are responding, what units are needed?

• C - What conditions are we confronted with?

• A - What actions are we taking?

• N - What resources do we need?

– Identify priorities

• L-I-P

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Establish Command

• Someone has to be in charge at the beginning

• Establish Command EARLY

• Who establishes command?

– Depends….

• Who has the biggest stake in the incident?

• Who does it logically make sense to be Command?

– If Agencies can’t agree….

• ESTABLISH UNIFIED COMMAND!!!

– Ensures that all aspects of response, including objectives are agreed upon

Establish Command

• Check in with Incident Commander

• Receive a brief on the incident

– What is going on?

– What has or is happening at this time

– What is planned to happen in the future

• Communicate Agency-Specific Issues

– Agency’s role in the response

– Concerns with current or planned operations

Establish Command

• Communications

– On scene

– TOC

• Command Post

– Who?

– What?

– Where?

– When?

– Why?

Who responds?

• Fire

• EMS

• Local Law Enforcement

• State Police

• VDOT/Contractor

• VDEM or Local EM

• Towing and Recovery

• Medical Examiner

• Media

Command Structure

The Incident Action Plan

Unified Command Shall:

Develop an initial action plan

Based on initial size-up and assigned resources

So that responding resources can be deployed to control the incident and provide for scene safety

• The IAP is how the tactical priorities will be achieved

• Based on Size-up

• Identifies how the available resources will be deployed and the need for additional resources

• The objective is to put the right number and type of resources in the right place to deal with the incident

• The IAP shall be revised as required

The Incident Action Plan

AAR’s methods include: • Informal

• Hot-wash (on-secene) • Debriefing back at the station

• Formal • After-action review • Post-incident analysis • Written Report

After Action Review

After Action Reviews are an important leadership responsibility. An AAR is centered on four questions: • What was expected to happen? • What actually occurred? • What went well and why? • What can be improved and how?

After Action Review

Questions?