Terminology and Chain of Command
Common ICS terminology, positions, and chain of command should be used whenever possible. This will enable personnel with ICS training from an emergency response agency to work with Liberty IC Teams and Networks.
Incident

An incident is an occurrence caused by human action or natural forces that requires a rapid response by emergency personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property. Every incident, no matter how large or small, needs to have a name to avoid confusion with any other incident or event, a Command Post, and an Incident Action Plan.

Event
An event is a planned, non-emergency activity.

Span of Control
The ICS is based on the concept that one person can effectively supervise from three to seven resources, with five resources being the optimum span of control. The ICS is flexible enough to expand or contract to maintain a manageable span of control.

Overhead Personnel
The overhead personnel are the personnel assigned to supervisory positions.

Incident Command Positions:

Organizational Levels

Incident Commander (IC)- person responsible for management of all incident operations. Every incident, no matter how small, needs to have an IC. On a small-scale incident, the IC will manage all aspects of the incident.

Section- organizational level responsible for a major function of incident management. Located between Branches and the IC.

Branch- organizational level responsible for major parts of incident operations. Located between Divisions/Groups and Sections.

Divisions and Groups are located between Strike Teams/Task Forces/Single Resources and Branches

Division- organizational level with responsibility for operations within a defined geographic location.

Group- organizational level with responsibility for a specified function at an incident.

Strike Team and Task Force- a strike team is a crew made up of the same kinds and types of resources with a specified leader. Five troopers and a team leader would be a strike team. A task force is a combination of resources and a leader assembled for a particular tactical need. Two rangers and a monitor, with one of the rangers identified as the leader would be a task force.

Single Resource- a fully equipped individual, a piece of equipment and the personnel necessary to operate it, or a crew or team with an identified leader that can be utilized at an incident.

Liberty ICS Resources:
The Liberty Incident Command System will have a number of unique categories of resources. Experience at incidents and events may indicate the need to establish other resource categories.

Marcher- protester or demonstrator.

Monitor- surveillance personnel equipped with video, still, telephoto, or digital cameras.

Sentinel/Scout- lookout personnel equipped with radios or mobile phones and binoculars or spotting scopes.

Ranger- personnel armed and skilled with a rifle, and equipped with binoculars or a spotting scope, and a radio or mobile phone.

Runner- personnel to deliver messages on foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle.

Trooper- personnel armed with a carbine, shotgun, or handgun.

General Staff
As an incident becomes more involved, the IC can establish General Staff Sections to carry out different incident management functions. Each Section Chief has the authority to expand the section to meet the needs of the incident.

The General Staff Sections are:

Planning Section- responsible for the collection of information and development of an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for responding to the incident.

Operations Section- responsible for implementing the IAP, and for directing and coordinating the activities of all field personnel.

Logistics Section- responsible for providing the personnel, equipment, facilities, and services necessary to deal with the incident.

Finance/Administration Section- responsible for arranging for payment for equipment, facilities, and services necessary to deal with the incident.

Command Staff
The IC can also delegate authority to Command Staff Officers as needed.

The Command Staff Officers are:

Information Officer- handles the release of information to the media.

Liaison Officer- the on scene contact for other agencies dealing with the incident.

Safety Officer- develops measures for ensuring the safety of all assigned personnel.

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