Where firefighters come to talk training
Incident sectorisation
I'm interested to get views from experienced officers in relation to how you best sectorise an incident ground to reduce the span of control. The two methods I'm familiar with are to sectorise geographically, i.e. appointing a sector commander for each geographical sector (A,B,C etc) who control all operations within that sector under the direction of the Ops commander. This seems to be most commonly used in our service. The other method, which I am finding favour with, is to sectorise the incident ground functions, i.e. OIC fire suppression, OIC search & rescue, OIC ventilation etc, under the command of the Ops commander. This method seems to allow simultaneous operations to occur throughout the whole building, with less chance of overlap or opposing operations. My thoughts are that in a defensive operation involving more than 1 face of the building, the geographical sectors are useful, but where internal operations involving more than one function need to happen, the functional sectorisation is easier to manage. I'd be very interested in how some of you guys (and girls) conduct your fireground management in realtion to this, having just been promoted to the level where this will be my my responsibility.
Cheers
Mike D
Cheers
Mike D
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric Myers on -
Michael-
In order to be NIMS compliant we utilize Divisions and Groups. We outed sectors Salt Lake City a couple of years ago. Yes it is a matter of semantics, however common terminology allows us to work well with neighboring agencies. Divisions describe a geographic position ie; roof, interior, Charlie, etc. and they mainly stay put. Meaning they don't move. Groups are more descriptive and mainly indicate an activity ie; Fire attack, ventilation, search and rescue. They are free to move about. Example Fire Attack Group, could indicate an entire 2 story structure where as Division 2 would indicate crews working on the second floor.
I hope this helps. good luck with your new position and keep studying and asking questions.
Eric
Captain SLCFD
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Permalink Reply by Michael Dombroski on -
Thanks Eric
I find that very interesting. Just to clarify, a division may have one or more groups operating under its command. For example an interior division may have fire suppression and search and rescue groups. Would the group commander/OIC report to the Division OIC? Operating a good incident ground management structure is the key to safe and effective operations in my view. Nearly every injury, or near miss we have on the incident ground relates back to communication and command and control. I'm real keen on getting on top of this, especially since we don't get the working jobs as often these days, so the opportunities to learn from experience and get it right are getting less.
Thanks again
Mike D
Eric Myers said:Michael-
In order to be NIMS compliant we utilize Divisions and Groups. We outed sectors Salt Lake City a couple of years ago. Yes it is a matter of semantics, however common terminology allows us to work well with neighboring agencies. Divisions describe a geographic position ie; roof, interior, Charlie, etc. and they mainly stay put. Meaning they don't move. Groups are more descriptive and mainly indicate an activity ie; Fire attack, ventilation, search and rescue. They are free to move about. Example Fire Attack Group, could indicate an entire 2 story structure where as Division 2 would indicate crews working on the second floor.
I hope this helps. good luck with your new position and keep studying and asking questions.
Eric
Captain SLCFD
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Permalink Reply by Eric Myers on
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Yes the Group Supervisor if operating in a particular Division would report to the Division Supervisor who would then report to the I/C. However, if the incident is small enough a Group Supervisor could report directly to the I/C as well. For instance a Ventilation Group may be working independently while a Division could have a Fire Attack Group and Search and Rescue Group. The key to the success of this model is discipline and having every member on your department compliant and trained up. Google ICS 100, 200, 300, etc and it will guide you to what NIMS is all about. As you say, good communication , command, and control will greatly cut down on near misses and LODD's. With less working "jobs" we need to take advantage of the training opportunities that are out there. Table tops, literature, and discussion groups are a great source of knowledge.
Eric
Michael Dombroski said:Thanks Eric
I find that very interesting. Just to clarify, a division may have one or more groups operating under its command. For example an interior division may have fire suppression and search and rescue groups. Would the group commander/OIC report to the Division OIC? Operating a good incident ground management structure is the key to safe and effective operations in my view. Nearly every injury, or near miss we have on the incident ground relates back to communication and command and control. I'm real keen on getting on top of this, especially since we don't get the working jobs as often these days, so the opportunities to learn from experience and get it right are getting less.
Thanks again
Mike D
Eric Myers said:Michael-
In order to be NIMS compliant we utilize Divisions and Groups. We outed sectors Salt Lake City a couple of years ago. Yes it is a matter of semantics, however common terminology allows us to work well with neighboring agencies. Divisions describe a geographic position ie; roof, interior, Charlie, etc. and they mainly stay put. Meaning they don't move. Groups are more descriptive and mainly indicate an activity ie; Fire attack, ventilation, search and rescue. They are free to move about. Example Fire Attack Group, could indicate an entire 2 story structure where as Division 2 would indicate crews working on the second floor.
I hope this helps. good luck with your new position and keep studying and asking questions.
Eric
Captain SLCFD
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