SECTION OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE REVISED 11-6-14 SOG 3-01 INCIDENT SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE TEAM I. Purpose A. The Camden County Incident Support & Asstance Team, better known as the ISAT Team. Has been developed to provide Incident Commanders with a group of trained and experienced emergency service personnel. B. Who upon the request of the Incident Commander, will respond and provide incident management support. In compliance with the parameters established within NIMS (The National Incident Management System. II. Mission Statement A. The Camden County Incident Support and Asstance Team is designed to ASSIST at incidents where the existing command staff could be taxed beyond the recognized span of control. Members of the team have attained the requisite training and have experience in each of the NIMS Areas. The team is designed to supplement the fire department. III. Policy A. Authority 1. The County Fire Coordinator will work in unison with the Camden County Fire Chiefs and Officers Association in the selection process when appointing members to the Team. 2. The County Fire Coordinator may delegate his authority by appointing a Team Coordinator. However, the ultimate responsibility for the Team will remain with the named Fire Coordinator. B. Minimum Qualification Criteria 1. Individuals applying for appointment to the ISAT team will have the following minimum qualifications and education.
C. Member Selection Camden County Guidelines a. Ten (10) Years of emergency service experience. b. Attained the Rank of Chief Officer, and retained that position for a minimum of 4 years prior to application. c. Completed the NFA Incident Safety Officer course. d. Completed I 300 Certification, and attained Level II Fire Officer Certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. 1. To qualify for appointment to the ISAT Team, an individual must complete and submit the following information: a. Complete and submit the ISAT application (available from the County Fire Coordinator), along with a detailed Resume, which will illustrate all of his / her education and emergency service experience. ( CCFC Form # 08-001 ) b. A letter from the Chief of his / her emergency service Department, authorizing their participation on the team. 2. The information detailed in the application packet, will be submitted to the Camden County Fire Coordinator. Who will copy the ISAT Team Coordinator. 3. The County Fire Coordinator will have the responsibility of verify the information submitted in the application packet. 4. The review of these documents will occur within 60 days of the submission. 5. If approved by the ISAT team Coordinator, and the County Fire Coordinator, a letter of recommendation will be signed by both. This along with a copy of the application and submitted resume, will then be submitted to the Executive Board of the Camden County Fire Chiefs, for final approval. 6. Upon concurrence as described in section 3.5. The individual will then be added to the Team. The Board of Directors will issue a written correspondence to the applicant confirming his/ her appointment. They will also issue the appropriate correspondence to the County Communications center, authorizing his / her dispatch for team assignments. (Utilizing CCFC Form # 08-002) 7. Applicants not appointed, will be notified in writing by the Board of Directors. 8. Members may also be removed from the ISAT team for just cause. This can occur, after a review/investigation which conducted by the ISAT Team
D. Dispatch Protocol Camden County Guidelines Leader, and the County Fire Coordinator. Who will present their findings in writing to the Executive Board for review and disposition. 1. Members of the Team will be notified by a formal dispatch, transmitted by the Camden County Communications Center. 2. The team can be deployed in the following manors a. Automatically dispatched, as per the protocols established by a local jurisdiction. In compliance with the parameters established by the New Jersey Deployment Act. b. The request of any Incident Commander. c. The direct authorization of the County/ State Fire Coordinator. 3. Communications will upon request or protocol, will transmit the appropriate tones and message. Simultaneously, transmitting the response, via the computerized telephonic (cell phone/ paging) system. 4. Recall s will be will be initiated as detailed in section 4.3. 5. The Camden County Communications Center and the County Fire Coordinator shall track the activities of the ISAT Team and provide the County Fire Chiefs with a yearly report. 6. Fire Departments Can Opt-Out utilizing the ISAT team. By the Chief of Department submitting a written directive to the Camden County Fire Chiefs and Officers Assoc advising them that they do not which to have the team dispatched to there local. E. Response 1. Responding members will at all times remember, that in all likelihood they will be responding significantly longer distances. During which they must drive with caution and obey all traffic laws. 2. A two tiered response criteria will be used: a. ISAT Level I Response 1) Will be utilized on I-200 level incidents which would only require the use of the first alarm assignment, or initial response resources, with limited special calls.
2) The Team members responding to these incidents will be from contiguous communities or would be in the immediate region at the time of dispatch. Examples: Single family dwellings, Rescue assignments, searches, etc b. ISAT Level - II Response 1) Will be implemented on incidents determined to be I-300 Level or more. Requiring extra alarms, and or numerous resources to control / contain the incident. 2) A Full Team response will in all likelihood will be needed Examples: Multiple family properties, industrial, mercantile properties, Forrest Fires, Technical Rescues, and Large scale Haz- Mats. Storms, floods Etc. 3. The first arriving ISAT Team member will act as the Team Liaison. 4. Responding members shall sign on radio responding utilizing the Camden County frequency or a frequency specified at the time. At NO TIME will the fire / emergency frequency be used. 5. Upon arrival at a scene, all Team vehicles will be parked remotely from the incident scene, so as not interfere with responding apparatus / units. 6. Once parked, the member will immediately don appropriate (PPE) Personnel Protective Equipment, Commensurate with the incident. To include Command Vest. 7. The member will then report directly to the Incident Commander or the Team Liaison for assignment. 8. Upon the declaration of an I-300 incident, serious consideration should be given notifying the local / County Emergency Management Coordinator. Depending upon need activating the Local / County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). F. Assignment 1. Responding members will at all times remember that the team members are there to provide SUPPORT to the incident Commander 2. Depending upon need, the Incident Commander or Team Liaison may apply those responding members to Operational positions within the NIMS system, or to fill in the other Administrative / support functions detailed within in the NIMS system. 3. Those members of the Team detailed to coordinate Operational positions, will at all times, wear full and appropriate P.P.E. and will
have the authority of the Incident Commander. Initiating the necessary coordination and control over the resources assigned. 4. Those Team members who would be assigned to the Executive Command Staff i.e. Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison, will don the appropriate P.P.E./ Uniform, and if available the Command Vest identifying there responsibility. 5. Assigned members will then find and establish a suitable work area. Which should be, in reasonably close proximity to the C/P. Yet remote enough, so as not to interfere with or impede its operations. 6. If the size / magnitude of the incident dictates, ISAT members will be assigned to the NIMS positions of Planning Chief, Logistics Chief, Intelligence Chief,and or Finance Chief. Along with any of the support staff positions for all of aforementioned positions. G. NIMS Positions & Responsibilities 1. While it will be expected for all team members Will be fluent in all areas of the NIMS system. It is recognized that some individuals will have more expertise in the different segments of NIMS. Thus when possible the I/C or Liaison should utilize individuals considered Technicians, to fill the positions listed below. 2. Incident Command Tech A member who acts as the direct AID for the Incident Commander. Running the command Board, communications equip-ment, and maintain the on scene incident diagram. He / she will be responsible to initiate complete and maintain the NIMS 201 form Pages 1-2 &3 3. Staging Officer - Individual/s assigned to the Staging officer s position, will report to the designated LEVEL II staging area as quickly as possible. Evaluating the selected area, and identifying his / her needs. To include the appropriate support staffing. He she will need to initiate the Check-in- Process utilizing NIMS 211 Form/s, apparatus typing, and the creation, numbering and dispatching of Single Resources, Strike Teams, and Task Forces, as directed by the Incident Commander or the Operations Chief. 4. Accountability - The members assigned to this will utilize the ICS 201 Form Page 4 form to get and accountability of the personnel on scene and units that have been dispatched and will arrive before formal Level II staging has been firmly established. 5. Team Members assigned to the I/C s Executive Staff (3) a. Safety - Don s Command Vest, monitors safety conditions of all assigned personnel on the incident. When necessary develops written safety measures utilizing NIMS form 206, and assigns deputy Safety Officer(s)
b. Public Information - Will be the point of contact for all Media Interaction. Preparing written news releases, and when Necessary conducting live interviews, and holding on scene periodic news conferences. After review and authorization of the Incident Commander. c. Liaison - Will coordinate the appropriate interaction between the I/C and all other responding agencies. That would have jurisdictional responsibilities, or would be requested. The Liaison officer would also appoint the necessary number of deputy Liaisons ensuring for the appropriate interaction and coordination with all responding authorities. 6. Members assigned to the NIMS Command Staff positions of Planning, Logistics, Intelligence, and Finance. Along with their designated staff, Will as quickly as possible select and establish a suitable work area, and will then commence the operations detailed below. 7. Planning Section Chief Incidents with an obvious duration of 3 + Hours. A designated team member will be appointed by the I/C or the ISAT Team Coordinator. Commencing the development, of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the next operational period. He / She will also set the time and location for the Planning meeting. This individual will also Chair the Planning Meeting. Upon completion of the draft IAP, He / she will present it to the I/C for authorization (Signature) and implementation. 8. Planning Staff Positions to be filled (5) a. Resources Unit Leader - Responsible for the resources Check in group along with maintaining the status of all manpower and equipment completing and utilizing the NIMS 215 form. This individual will also develop the objectives and assignments for next operational period. Conveying, it into writing, utilizing the NIMS 204 form/s for each resource. Which will become part of the IAP b. Situation Unit leader - Responsible for processing information on the current situation (progress / Lack of) Prepares and maintains the situational display s i.e. Assignment boards, T cards, Maps, and projections. c. Documentation Unit Leader - Prepares, collates, and copies the formal written IAP document. Ensuring the proper distribution of the IAP, to include Branch and divisional leaders. d. Demobilization Unit Leader - On large scale COMPLEX incidents, this individual will derive a written plan. Which will detail the orderly, safe, and cost effective release, of personnel and resources. To include home Travel, De-Con, health evaluations, decontamination, and any other special needs.
e. Logistics Section Chief - Will work in unison with the Planning section and Logistics Chiefs, identifying and acquiring the support and logistical needs, as dictated by the IAP and the incident. Commencing the process of identifying where and how these needs will be acquired. He/ she will also select the Logistics section staff as listed below 9. Logistics staff positions to be filled (6) a. Service Branch i. Communications Unit - Evaluating the incident and the need for seamless communications / interoperability, between all units operating units on the incident. This individual will utilize NIMS form 205. Designing, a comprehensive communication plan, said plan will become part of the IAP. They will also be responsible to identify where the equipment will come from and coordinate its arrival and distribution on the scene. ii. Medical Unit - The individual assigned will utilize NIMS form 206. Deriving a medical plan, that will provide for the proper evaluation, rehabilitation, and if necessary the treatment and care of the emergency service Personnel operating on the emergency scene. This Plan will also become a part of the IAP. They will also be responsible for identifying where the equipment, personnel etc. will come from and the arrival and distribution on the incident scene. iii. Food Unit - The individual assigned will derive a plan that will provide for the proper nutrition, and hydration. For all emergency service personnel who would be operating on the incident scene. Also responsible to determine where and how these logistical needs will arrive and be distributed on the emergency scene. ( School cafeteria staff Caterers E/M Annex ) b. Support Branch i. Supply Unit - Orders personnel, equipment, and supplies necessary to provide proper support to the personnel operating on the emergency scene. If not appointed the responsibilities of ordering these needs will be the Logistics section Chief ii. Facilities Unit - Sets up and maintains whatever facilities may be required. Buildings utilized by the I/C and other section chiefs. If necessary provides for the comfortable sheltering of emergency service personnel. Also if necessary sets up bases and camps as required. (School public buildings hotels tents) iii. Ground Support unit - Provides Transportation, vehicle maintenance, Fuels, etc. necessary to support the emergency responders. 10. Finance Section Chief - Will be responsible for the financial tracking of the emergency incident, utilizing the below listed staff said tracking will provide for
the appropriate reimbursement justification. The documentation of these expenditures must be able to withstand a full audit as a part of any recovery. (Private or public funds) 11. Financial staff positions to be filled (4) a. Time Unit - Tracks the monetary tracking of all personnel, operating on the incident (Both contractual and volunteer members) b. Procurement Unit - Conducts direct contact with suppliers to acquire supplies. Process administrative paperwork associated with equipment rental, supply contractors (food) Tracking their time and expenses. c. Compensation / Clams Unit i. Compensation - Track all workmen s compensation claims. Ensures that proper paperwork is completed and properly filed protecting the employee who become ill or sustain injury. ii. Claims - Handles the investigation of all claims involving property damage reportedly caused by emergency response personnel/ units. d. Cost Unit - Responsible for collecting all cost information, and providing cost estimates and when possible cost savings H. Section Chief Technician 1. The County Fire Coordinator and the ISAT Team leader will identify members of the team, who may specialize, in the positions established within the NIMS system. These individuals will be considered Technicians and will be assigned accordingly. In an effort to provide the I/C with more experienced personnel in each of the critical NIMS positions. 2. Emphasis will be placed on developing Command technicians for the I/C administrative staff, and the Section Chiefs positions. I. ISAT Training 1. For Team members to maintain proficiency. The County Fire Coordinator along with the ISAT Team Leader. Will, design, organize, schedule and conduct, Bi- Annual training sessions. Utilizing exercises that would exercise the majority of the critical NIMS positions. (Operations, Planning, Logistics, Intelligence and Finance) Along with the I/C administrative staff of PIO, Liaison, and Safety. 2. During the Training exercises, the ISAT Team Leader, will place personnel into as many roles as possible to develop as many technicians for the listed critical positions as possible. Maintaining the appropriate training records
J. Equipment Camden County Guidelines 1. Accountability Tags, Team members will utilize the issued Camden County Accountability tag issued by the County Clerks Office. 2. Upon arrival these tags will be issued to the Accountability Officer, for placement on the tracking board. 3. Division Binders containing the necessary MNIMS forms will be carried in a Command Folder located as follows. Camden County Fire Marshal s Van, or the County Communications Vehicles Dispatched. K. Team Deployment Critique 1. Upon the completion of a deployment. The Team leader within a 14-30 day period will conduct a full comprehensive critique of the Teams operations and performance. Providing a detailed report to the Executive Board and the Incident Commander(s).