Incident Objectives That Drive Incident Operations Are Established By The

Incident objectives are the cornerstone of effective incident management, guiding the overall strategy and operational tactics during emergencies. These objectives, which dictate the direction and scope of incident operations, are fundamentally established by the Incident Commander (IC). However, it's important to understand that the process of defining these objectives is rarely a solitary endeavor and often involves collaboration with key stakeholders and a thorough assessment of the incident's characteristics and potential impact. This article explores the intricate process of establishing incident objectives, the roles and responsibilities involved, and the crucial factors that influence their formulation.

The Primacy of the Incident Commander

The Incident Commander (IC) holds the ultimate authority and responsibility for managing an incident. This leadership role is central to the Incident Command System (ICS), a standardized approach to incident management used across various sectors, including emergency services, public health, and environmental protection. The IC's primary duty is to ensure the safety of responders and the public, protect property, and mitigate the incident's impact.

Key Responsibilities of the Incident Commander:

• Establishing Incident Objectives: Defining clear, concise, and achievable objectives that guide all incident operations.
• Developing Strategies and Tactics: Creating plans to achieve the established objectives.
• Managing Resources: Allocating personnel, equipment, and other resources effectively.
• Coordinating with Stakeholders: Communicating with agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the response.
• Ensuring Safety: Prioritizing the safety of all personnel and the public.
• Approving the Incident Action Plan (IAP): A written or verbal plan outlining the objectives, strategies, and tactics for the operational period.

The IC's decision-making process is informed by real-time information, expert advice, and established protocols. They must possess strong leadership skills, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

The Collaborative Process: Who Contributes to Defining Objectives?

While the Incident Commander has the final say, formulating effective incident objectives is rarely a solo act. A collaborative approach, involving key personnel and stakeholders, ensures that the objectives are comprehensive, realistic, and aligned with the needs of the community.

Key Participants in the Objective-Setting Process:

• Command Staff: This includes the Public Information Officer (PIO), Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer.
  • Public Information Officer (PIO): Provides accurate and timely information to the public and media, helping to manage public perception and maintain trust. Their input ensures objectives consider public communication needs.
  • Safety Officer: Monitors safety conditions and develops measures to ensure the safety of all personnel. Their perspective is crucial in setting objectives that prioritize responder well-being.
  • Liaison Officer: Serves as the point of contact for assisting agencies and organizations. Their involvement ensures objectives consider the needs and capabilities of external partners.
• General Staff: This includes the Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief.
  • Operations Section Chief: Responsible for managing all tactical operations at the incident. Their input is vital in ensuring objectives are feasible and aligned with available resources.
  • Planning Section Chief: Responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information needed to plan for the incident. Their insights help in setting realistic objectives based on accurate assessments.
  • Logistics Section Chief: Responsible for providing resources and support services needed for the incident. Their input ensures objectives consider logistical constraints and requirements.
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief: Responsible for tracking costs and administering financial aspects of the incident. Their involvement ensures objectives are financially responsible and sustainable.
• Technical Specialists: Experts in specific fields relevant to the incident, such as hazardous materials, engineering, or public health.
• Agency Representatives: Representatives from agencies with jurisdiction or expertise related to the incident.
• Community Stakeholders: Representatives from community organizations, businesses, and other groups affected by the incident.

This collaborative process allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be considered, leading to more robust and effective incident objectives.

Factors Influencing the Formulation of Incident Objectives

Several critical factors influence the formulation of incident objectives. The IC and the team must carefully analyze these factors to ensure the objectives are relevant, achievable, and aligned with the overall goals of the response.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Incident Type and Severity: The nature of the incident significantly shapes the objectives. A small-scale fire will have different objectives than a large-scale natural disaster. Objectives must reflect the specific challenges and potential impacts of the incident.
• Life Safety: Protecting the lives of responders and the public is always the top priority. Objectives should explicitly address life safety concerns, such as evacuation, search and rescue, and medical care.
• Property Protection: Minimizing damage to property is a crucial objective. This may involve firefighting, flood control, or securing infrastructure.
• Environmental Protection: Protecting the environment from harm is increasingly important. Objectives may focus on containing spills, preventing pollution, or restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Community Impact: The impact of the incident on the community must be considered. Objectives may address providing shelter, food, and other essential services to affected residents.
• Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is essential. Objectives must align with legal mandates, such as environmental regulations or building codes.
• Available Resources: The availability of personnel, equipment, and funding will influence what objectives are feasible. Objectives must be realistic given the resources at hand.
• Political Considerations: Political factors may influence the objectives, particularly in large-scale incidents. Objectives must be sensitive to political concerns and priorities.
• Public Perception: Managing public perception and maintaining trust is important. Objectives should address public communication needs and promote transparency.
• Time Constraints: The timeframe for achieving the objectives must be considered. Objectives should be realistic given the urgency of the situation and the available resources.
• Long-Term Consequences: The long-term consequences of the incident must be considered. Objectives should address long-term recovery and mitigation efforts.

Characteristics of Effective Incident Objectives

To be truly effective, incident objectives must possess certain characteristics. They should be SMART:

• Specific: Clearly define what needs to be achieved. Avoid vague or ambiguous language.
• Measurable: Include metrics or indicators that can be used to track progress and determine when the objective has been met.
• Achievable: Realistic given the available resources and constraints. Avoid setting objectives that are impossible to achieve.
• Relevant: Aligned with the overall goals of the incident response and the needs of the community.
• Time-bound: Include a specific timeframe for achieving the objective.

Examples of SMART Incident Objectives:

• Poor Objective: Control the fire.
• SMART Objective: Contain the fire within the perimeter by 1800 hours to prevent further spread.
• Poor Objective: Evacuate residents.
• SMART Objective: Evacuate all residents within a 1-mile radius of the chemical spill by 1200 hours.
• Poor Objective: Protect the environment.
• SMART Objective: Contain the oil spill within the bay using booms by 2400 hours to prevent further contamination of the shoreline.

The Incident Action Plan (IAP)

The incident objectives are documented in the Incident Action Plan (IAP). The IAP is a comprehensive plan that outlines the objectives, strategies, and tactics for managing the incident during a specific operational period. It serves as a roadmap for all personnel involved in the response, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals.

Key Components of an IAP:

• Incident Objectives: A clear and concise statement of what needs to be achieved.
• Strategies: The overall approach for achieving the objectives.
• Tactics: Specific actions to be taken to implement the strategies.
• Resource Assignments: Allocation of personnel and equipment to specific tasks.
• Communications Plan: Procedures for communication within the incident command structure and with external stakeholders.
• Safety Plan: Measures to ensure the safety of all personnel.
• Medical Plan: Procedures for providing medical care to injured personnel.
• Logistics Plan: Plans for providing resources and support services.
• Finance/Administration Plan: Procedures for tracking costs and administering financial aspects.

The IAP is typically developed for each operational period, which is a specific timeframe (e.g., 12 hours, 24 hours) during which the plan will be in effect. The IAP is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in the incident situation and the progress towards achieving the objectives.

Challenges in Establishing Incident Objectives

Establishing effective incident objectives can be challenging, particularly in complex or rapidly evolving situations. Some common challenges include:

• Conflicting Priorities: Balancing competing priorities, such as life safety, property protection, and environmental protection, can be difficult.
• Limited Information: Making decisions with incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to poor objectives.
• Changing Conditions: The incident situation can change rapidly, requiring objectives to be adjusted accordingly.
• Communication Breakdowns: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and conflicting actions.
• Resource Constraints: Limited resources can make it difficult to achieve all desired objectives.
• Political Pressure: Political considerations can influence the objective-setting process in ways that may not be optimal.
• Stakeholder Conflicts: Disagreements among stakeholders can make it difficult to reach consensus on objectives.

To overcome these challenges, it is essential to:

• Establish a clear decision-making process.
• Gather and analyze information from multiple sources.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
• Prioritize objectives based on the severity of the threat and the availability of resources.
• Be flexible and willing to adjust objectives as needed.
• Seek input from technical specialists and subject matter experts.

Examples of Incident Objectives in Different Scenarios

To illustrate the application of incident objectives, consider the following examples:

Example 1: Hurricane Response

• Incident: A major hurricane makes landfall, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and structural damage.
• Potential Objectives:
  • Conduct search and rescue operations to locate and assist stranded individuals.
  • Evacuate residents from flooded areas to shelters.
  • Restore power to critical facilities, such as hospitals and emergency services.
  • Clear roadways to allow access for emergency vehicles.
  • Provide food, water, and shelter to displaced residents.
  • Establish communication networks to facilitate coordination among responders.
  • Assess damage to infrastructure and develop plans for repair and reconstruction.

Example 2: Hazardous Materials Spill

• Incident: A tanker truck carrying hazardous materials overturns, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment.
• Potential Objectives:
  • Isolate the spill area to prevent further contamination.
  • Identify the spilled material and its potential health hazards.
  • Evacuate residents from the immediate vicinity of the spill.
  • Contain the spill using booms, absorbent materials, or other containment methods.
  • Neutralize the spilled material to reduce its toxicity.
  • Monitor air and water quality to assess the extent of contamination.
  • Decontaminate affected areas and equipment.
  • Provide medical care to individuals exposed to the spilled material.

Example 3: Wildfire

• Incident: A wildfire breaks out in a heavily forested area, threatening homes and communities.
• Potential Objectives:
  • Protect lives and property from the advancing fire.
  • Establish fire lines to contain the fire within a defined area.
  • Suppress the fire using water, retardant, and other firefighting techniques.
  • Evacuate residents from threatened areas.
  • Protect critical infrastructure, such as power lines and communication towers.
  • Provide air support to ground crews.
  • Monitor fire behavior and adjust tactics as needed.
  • Conduct mop-up operations to extinguish hot spots and prevent re-ignition.

The Importance of Continuous Improvement

The process of establishing incident objectives should be viewed as an ongoing learning experience. After each incident, it is important to conduct a thorough after-action review (AAR) to evaluate the effectiveness of the objectives and the overall response. The AAR should identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.

Key Questions to Ask During an AAR:

• Were the objectives clear, concise, and achievable?
• Were the objectives aligned with the overall goals of the response?
• Did the objectives address the most critical threats and vulnerabilities?
• Were the objectives effectively communicated to all personnel?
• Were the objectives realistic given the available resources?
• Were the objectives adjusted as needed based on changing conditions?
• What lessons were learned that can be applied to future incidents?

By continuously evaluating and improving the process of establishing incident objectives, organizations can enhance their ability to respond effectively to emergencies and protect lives, property, and the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, incident objectives, which drive incident operations, are established by the Incident Commander (IC), often in collaboration with a diverse team of stakeholders. The IC leverages input from command staff, general staff, technical specialists, agency representatives, and community stakeholders to formulate objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These objectives are influenced by a multitude of factors, including the incident type and severity, life safety concerns, property protection needs, environmental considerations, community impact, legal and regulatory requirements, available resources, political factors, public perception, and time constraints. The objectives are then documented in the Incident Action Plan (IAP), which serves as a roadmap for all personnel involved in the response. Despite the challenges in establishing incident objectives, a collaborative and adaptive approach, coupled with continuous improvement through after-action reviews, is crucial for effective incident management and the protection of communities during emergencies.