November 30, 2006

The following is the Tierra Linda Fire Department’s position relative to the Incident Command System.

To establish Standard Operating Procedures used as guidelines, which incorporate the use of an Incident Command System.

Incident Command will be active at all emergency incidents, drills and exercises and all personnel will be trained in ICS and the use of these procedures. On small scale incidents, the assumption of command by the officer is informal but the principal of one individual in overall command of the incident will always apply.

All fire ground, or other incident operations will work through the Incident Commander. All units, including Dispatch, will be notified if there is a change in command or command location.

All radio communications between organizational elements at the scene; other units, fire stations or dispatch will be in Plain English (clear text). Codes shall not be used.

"FireCom"  Channel will be used when dispatched by Kerrville Fire Communications unless and until the Incident Commander notifies all units of a change.

"Primary G"  Channel will be used when dispatched by Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch  unless and until the Incident Commander notifies all units of a change.

Alphabetical letter identifiers will identify exterior designations of a structure. The front of the structure will be designated "Side A", and the remaining sides are given a radio designation of  B, C, and D in a clockwise manner. These designations will also apply to scenes where North, South, East and West may not be obvious to all responding units.