S-130 Incident Command System 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct ICS protocol when a firefighter receives conflicting orders from two supervisors?
- Follow the most recent order received
- Follow the order from the higher-ranking supervisor
- Clarify with their immediate supervisor per unity of command (Correct answer)
- Request guidance from the Safety Officer
Correct answer: Clarify with their immediate supervisor per unity of command
Unity of command requires each person to report to only one supervisor, so conflicting orders should be immediately clarified with the assigned supervisor.
Question 2: Which ICS concept requires that incident goals be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-sensitive?
- Modular organization
- Management by objectives (Correct answer)
- Integrated communications
- Comprehensive resource management
Correct answer: Management by objectives
Management by objectives directs all ICS activities toward established, specific objectives that are understood by all participants.
Question 3: During an ICS operational period briefing, who is typically the primary briefer for field supervisors?
- Incident Commander
- Planning Section Chief
- Safety Officer
- Operations Section Chief (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Operations Section Chief
The Operations Section Chief typically conducts the operational period briefing to communicate tactical assignments and expectations to supervisors.
Question 4: What is 'transfer of command' and when does it occur?
- Moving the ICP to a safer location when fire threatens it
- The formal process of passing incident command from one IC to another (Correct answer)
- Reassigning crews between divisions when fire behavior changes
- Transitioning from a single command to a unified command structure
Correct answer: The formal process of passing incident command from one IC to another
Transfer of command is the formal process where an outgoing Incident Commander briefs an incoming IC, who then assumes responsibility for managing the incident.
Question 5: What does the Finance/Administration Section track on a wildland fire incident?
- Personnel qualifications and training records
- Costs, procurement, time records, and compensation for injury claims (Correct answer)
- Equipment maintenance schedules and repair logs
- Weather observations and fire behavior data
Correct answer: Costs, procurement, time records, and compensation for injury claims
The Finance/Administration Section manages all financial and cost analysis aspects of the incident, including time, procurement, compensation, and cost tracking.
Question 6: Under ICS, what is the maximum recommended span of control for most supervisory situations?
- 1 to 3 subordinates
- 3 to 7 subordinates (Correct answer)
- 5 to 10 subordinates
- 8 to 12 subordinates
Correct answer: 3 to 7 subordinates
ICS recommends a span of control ranging from 3 to 7 subordinates, with 5 considered optimal for most incident conditions.
Question 7: When an incident grows beyond the capacity of a single Operations Section, what organizational element may be activated?
- A second Operations Section
- Branches within the Operations Section (Correct answer)
- Additional Divisions reporting directly to the IC
- A Deputy Incident Commander for Operations
Correct answer: Branches within the Operations Section
Branches may be established within the Operations Section to maintain manageable span of control when the number of Divisions and Groups exceeds seven.
S-130 Incident Command System 5
What is the correct ICS protocol when a firefighter receives conflicting orders from two supervisors?