Introduction

This guidance is accompanied by Incident command: Knowledge, skills and competence, which provides further detail and is essential reading for all commanders, operational personnel and fire control personnel.

Operational response is hazardous and varied. Some incidents need only simple actions and procedures to be dealt with effectively and safely, as risks are low. Others are more challenging and may quickly increase in size, complexity and duration.

Fire and rescue authorities must plan for health and safety in the operational environment, in order to fulfil their legislative and regulatory duties. This includes basing their policies on safe person principles. The application of risk assessment and control measures should not prevent fire and rescue service operations from taking place.

There are two other sections of National Operational Guidance that should be considered at all incidents; Environmental protection and Operations.

The Operations guidance contains topics including:

• Fire control room operations
• Getting to an incident
• Health, safety and welfare
• Evacuation and shelter
• Closing an incident
• Investigations

Given the interdependencies in the topics, it is important that this Incident command guidance is read in conjunction with the Operations guidance.