1.3 Area Command

Purpose

Oversee the management of incident(s), focusing on strategic assistance, direction, and resolving competition for resources. This position does not supersede any Incident Commanders or Unified Commands but supports and provides strategic direction.

Responsibilities

The overall direction and setting of priorities for Incident Management Teams (IMTs) assigned to incidents in close proximity or large complex incidents. This includes ensuring that conflicts are resolved, that incident objectives are established, and that strategies are selected for the use of critical resources. The Area Commander has the responsibility to coordinate with local, state, federal, and volunteer assisting and/or cooperating organizations.

Activation

Multiple simultaneous alarms with implementation of the Incident Management System in the same geographical area. The complexity and span or control of an incident warrants. Critical lifesaving or property values are at risk, and incidents are utilizing limited resources. The incidents will continue into the next operational period.

Location: Area Command Post

Recommended Staffing: Most qualified in management of large complex incidents with respect to their functional areas

Reports To: Agency Administrations

Procedure

• Arrive in area and establish Area Command.

• Establish appropriate location for the Area Command facilities, consider Mobile Command Center Vehicle.
• Notify the Incident Commanders covered by the Area Command.
• Activate the elements of the area command needed to manage the incident(s) via Branch Commanders. (Planning, Logistics, Aviation, Tech Specialists, etc.)
• Review objectives and strategies for each incident, including expectations of Agency Administrators, concerns, or restraints.
• Assess the incident situation; establish priorities and objectives for the overall command.
• If operating as a Unified Area Command, develop working agreement for how Area Commanders will function together.
• Determine and assign an appropriate Area Command team. A small team is more manageable.
• Identify and allocate critical resources to best meet the needs of Area Command.
• Consider establishing an Area Command Staging Area / Mobilization Center to pool resources prior to allocation to area incidents or individual staging areas.
• Obtain incident briefing and IAP’s from Incident Commanders (as appropriate).
• Assess incident situations prior to strategy meeting.
• Brief the Area Command Staff and IMT, if established.
• Determine need for an assigned Technical Specialists to support Area Command.
• Participate in the preparation and authorize the implementation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP).
• Develop an operating guide for the Area Command staff.
• Prepare for additional operational cycles.
• Establish PIO or, if needed, Joint Information Center (JIC).
• Review the progress of the incident and channel organizational efforts towards highest priority tasks.
• Approve overall plan for demobilization and return to normal operating status.
• Maintain log of major actions/decisions.
• Prepare a final incident summary.

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