Key Terms

Chain of Command — (1) Order of rank and authority in the fire service. (2) The proper sequence of information and command flow as described in the Incident Management System.

Discipline — Setting the limits or boundaries for expected performance and enforcing them.

Emergency Operations — Activities involved in responding to the scene of an incident and performing assigned duties in order to mitigate the emergency.

Fire Mark — Distinctive metal marker once produced by insurance companies for identifying their policyholders’ buildings.

Incident Command System (ICS) — (1) System by which facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications are organized to operate within a common organizational structure designed to aid in the management of resources at emergency incidents. (2) Management system of procedures for controlling personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications so that different agencies can work together toward a common goal in an effective and efficient manner. (3) Recommended method of establishing and maintaining command and control of an incident. It is an organized approach to incident management, adaptable to any size of type of incident.

Life Safety — Refers to the joint consideration of the life and physical well-being of individuals, both civilians and firefighters.

Policy — Guide to decision making in an organization.

Procedure — A written communication closely related to a policy.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) — Standard methods or rules in which an organization or a fire department operates to carry out a routine function. Usually these procedures are written in a policies and procedures handbook and all firefighters should be well versed in their content. A SOP may specify the functional limitations of fire brigade members in performing emergency operations.