Gorham Fire Department

Gorham Fire Department	Standard Operating Procedure #14	Incident Commander
To All Fire Department Members	Approved by SOP Committee: March 9, 1999	Approved by Officers: April 19, 1999
Approved by Town Manager:	Revised:	Accepted by Members: May 4, 1999

Establishing Command:

The first officer on scene shall communicate over the highway frequency that he has established command at the scene. All fire department radio traffic will go through Command.

Transferring Command:

Command may be transferred from the initial IC (Incident Commander) to a later arriving of senior Command Officer, or in when a mutual aid situation, to the officer having jurisdiction. Transfer of command shall take place on a face-to-face basis whenever possible to facilitate effective communication and feedback. If face-to-face communication is not possible, transfer of command by radio may be conducted.

If command has been established by a Firefighter, command shall be transferred to the first arriving Officer. Command shall be transferred to the first arriving Command Officer at that Officer’s discretion (the Command Officer may choose to allow the established IC to continue as IC). Transfer of command to higher-ranking command officers is also discretionary. When a Command Officer allows a lower ranking Officer to retain command, this does not remove the responsibility for the incident from the higher ranking individual, except in the case of mutual aid.

Transfer of command shall include communication of the following information:

Resources committed to the incident and responding, as well as the present incident organizational structure.

Following transfer of command, the IC may return the previous IC to his department or specify assignment to a subordinate management position within the ICS organizational structure.

Where the incident is involving other mutual aid departments, the IC may establish a unified command.

Command Post:

Incident Commander Responsibilities:

Developing the appropriate strategies and tactics along with a site safety plan. Appointing a Safety Officer if one is needed.

Assure proper communication procedures are followed, and appoint a communication officer if needed.

toned×+histƒ,P> „