QRZ! Ham Radio 1/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - December 1993.iso/ucsd/races/opsics.txt

Text File | 1992-07-07 | 7KB | 151 lines

Page 1

OPSICS    Version 1. 3     3/1/92



INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM  [Category: OPS]

ICS RACES RESPONDER'S CHECKLIST
This checklist applies to State RACES personnel and is
recommended to the RACES in other jurisdictions and organizations
using the Incident Command System.
1. Receive your assignment and mission or order number.
2. Check in at the incident base or where directed above.
3. Obtain briefing from supervisor. This should include sleeping,
feeding and other details.
4. Acquire work materials if required.
5. Organize and brief subordinates. Everybody has a supervisor.
6. Observe communications procedures and discipline.
7. Brief your relief as you would want to be briefed.
8. Complete necessary forms and record keeping.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WORKING WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE
ICS ORGANIZATION IS MAINTAINING A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BY
KEEPING THE COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS OPEN.  RB 080

ICS PROPER RADIO USAGE
 [Also see Sub-section OPERATIONS TECHNIQUES, under OPERATIONS
category]
1. Official use only.
2. Message priorities in declining order:
     a.   Death, injury, accident, medical aid
     b.   Report of a new incident
     c.   New incident communications
     d.   Other incident messages
     e.   Routine administrative messages
3. Plan your messages.
4. No profanity.
5. Report facts, not opinions.
6. Speak clearly and in a normal tone.
7. Use clear text (no ten, ham or other codes).  RB081

CDF&FP GLOSSARY
The following are terms you may encounter while handling wildland
fire traffic.
Prepared by: CALIF. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION,
AUBURN RANGER UNIT, 13760 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION: It is no
longer just "CDF" nor is it the "Division of Forestry". The words
"and Fire Protection" were added last year to more accurately
reflect the actual activities of the Department. By the same
token, it is the U.S. FOREST SERVICE -- not "Forestry Service".

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS): The chain of command on any
incident. The incident commander is referred to as the IC and
will be identified with the name of the fire he is commanding.
Example: "Dog Bar IC". When you are assigned to work a particular
fire, you will identify likewise using the fire name. Example:
"Dog Bar Base".

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: Located usually at a Headquarters facility
but may be elsewhere in a major event. Also located at this
facility will be the Fire Information Center which will be manned
by Fire Information Officers (FIO). Their function is to relay
information to the news media and the general public via the
telephone. The communications center will house all of the
Amateur radio operations at the location including phone, packet,
and ATV if utilized. If several fires are burning simultaneously,
there will be multiple radio circuits set up. Headphones are an
absolute must for working in this environment as it becomes very
noisy and confused. The FIO's will be answering telephones,
packet printers will be clacking and people will be talking to
one another. In an extended attack fire, this center will remain
operational 24 hours per day unless other instructions are given.
Identification of stations operating here will be as above.
Example: "Dog Bar Communications". RB039

COMMAND POST: The command post is usually the location from which
the IC and his staff direct the attack on the fire. It is usually
located near the fire, often offering a view of the fire or
smoke. During the initial attack on a fire, the Command Post is a
very busy place. If you are assigned to a Command Post, report to
the IC on arrival; introduce yourself. Get a feel for the
activity before approaching the IC for information or direction.
The Command Post and Staging Area may be one and the same.

STAGING AREA: The Staging Area is that point to which all
incoming equipment and personnel will report prior to being
dispatched on the fire line. You may also be required to pass
through the Staging Area. This is another very busy location,
especially during the initial stages of a fire. A Staging Area
Manager will be in charge of the operation and you should report
to him immediately on arrival, telling him your assignment; i.e.,
Command Post, Base, etc.

BASE (BASE CAMP OR FIRE CAMP): The Base is located some distance
from the fire zone. When complete, the Base resembles a small
town with food service, bathrooms, showers, sleeping areas,
administrative offices, communication centers, medical
facilities, gasoline station, etc. On a large fire, many hundreds
of individuals will depend on the Base for support. Base can be a
very busy and exciting location. At Base, ham radio will handle a
large volume of logistical traffic as much of the ordering of
supplies and equipment will go out via Amateur Radio.
Additionally, many of the various managers located at Base will
have the need to speak directly to other locations and will often
utilize our ham radio circuits for this activity. As a result,
much time is spent locating the various individuals to come to
our radio location to get on the air. On a major fire, we will
attempt to staff the Base with a motor home, trailer, or the like
as the individuals assigned may have to remain for several days
or more. RB040

EXTENDED FIRE ATTACK: An Extended Fire Attack is, as the name
implies, one that will not be quickly extinguished. Extended
attack fires will usually require a large amount of equipment and
personnel. They will often require the creation of Base
facilities and have a large administrative staff ("overhead").
VIP (CDF&FP Volunteers-In-Prevention) hams will most often
operate during extended attack fires.

HANDCREWS: A word about the handcrews used on fires by the CDF&FP
is in order. Several types of crews are utilized: members of the
California Conservation Corps, wards of the State under the
California Youth Authority, and professionals such as the Hobart
Hotshots and others. The CYA wards are prisoners from various CYA
camps and facilities. They are always dressed in orange clothing
as opposed to the yellow worn by all other personnel. To avoid
problems, it is best not to engage the wards in conversation as
their supervisors may have given orders not to talk to anyone.
Handcrews are used to do much of the cutting of fire breaks,
downing burned trees, and etc. They are a valuable resource in
controlling the fire and are either very busy or very tired. Do
not get in their way.

S.O. or SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE: As utilized in a fire situation,
S.O. can refer to several different things. First, it can mean
the Sheriff's Office of the county in which you are operating.
Additionally, it can mean the headquarters office of the U.S.
Forest Service Supervisor for that National Forest. Make certain
you are clear as to what is meant at the time the term first
comes up.

FIRE INFORMATION OFFICERS: Fire Information Officers are
individuals who have completed specialized training courses to
prepare them to act as Public Information Officers or Press
Liaison persons. In the past, many hams have performed this
function in this Ranger Unit but, from now on, that will be
minimized. Our main role is to provide an auxiliary
communications service.  RB039-041