Common Terms, Acronyms, and Definitions used in Emergencies
The following provides terms, acronyms and definitions commonly used to describe emergency management organization and activities. Other reference materials that show where and how these terms apply include: An Introduction to the Incident Command System, and An Introduction to Unified Command: Joining Forces Under the Incident Command System.
- A -
Action Plan:
(See Incident Action Plan.)
Agency:
An agency is a division of government with a specific function, or a non-governmental organization (e.g., private contractor, business, etc.) that offers a particular kind of assistance. In the Incident Command System (ICS), agencies are defined as jurisdictional (having statutory responsibility for incident mitigation) or assisting and/or cooperating (providing resources and/or assistance). (See Assisting Agency, Cooperating Agency)
Agency Representative:
An individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency representatives report to the Liaison Officer.
Allocated Resources:
Resources dispatched to an incident.
Area Command:
An organization established to: oversee the management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by an Incident Command System organization; or to oversee the management of a very large incident that has multiple Incident Management Teams assigned to it. Area Command has the responsibility to set overall strategy and priorities, allocate critical resources based on priorities, ensure that incidents are properly managed, and ensure that objectives are met and strategies followed.
Assigned Resources:
Resources checked in and assigned work tasks on an incident.
Assignments:
Tasks given to resources to perform within a given operational period, based upon tactical objectives in the Incident Action Plan.
Assisting Agency:
An agency directly contributing tactical or service resources to another agency. The general term "augmenting" may be used to describe this activity.
Available Resources:
Incident-based resources which are ready for deployment.
-B-
Base:
The location at which primary logistics functions for an incident are coordinated and administered. The Incident Command Post may be co-located with the Base.
Branch:
The organizational level having functional or geographic responsibility for major parts of incident operations. The Branch level is organizationally between Section and Division/Group in the Operations Section, and between Section and Units in the Logistics Section.
British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS):
The British Columbia Emergency Response Management System is a comprehensive management scheme that ensures a coordinated and organized provincial response and recovery to any and all emergency incidents. The broad spectrum of components of the BCERMS include: operations and control management system (including ICS), qualifications, technology, training and publications.
-C-
Cache:
A predetermined complement of tools, equipment, and/or supplies stored in a designated location, available for incident use.
Camp:
A geographical site, within the general incident area, separate from the Incident Base, equipped and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water, and sanitary services to incident personnel.
Check-in:
The process whereby resources first report to an incident. Check-in locations include: Incident Command Post, Incident Base, Camps, Staging Areas, Helibases, Helispots, and Division Supervisors.
Chain of Command:
A series of management positions in order of authority.
Chief:
The ICS title for individuals responsible for command of functional sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.
Command:
The act of directing and/or controlling resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority. May also refer to the Incident Commander.
Command Post:
(See Incident Command Post.)
Command Staff:
The Command Staff consists of the Information,Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer. They report directly to the Incident Commander. They may have an assistant or assistants, as needed.
Communications Unit:
An organizational unit in the Logistics Section responsible for providing communication services at an incident. A Communications Unit may also be a facility (e.g., a trailer or mobile van) used to provide the major part of an Incident Communications Center.
Compensation Unit / Claims Unit:
Functional unit within the Finance/Administration Section responsible for financial concerns resulting from property damage, injuries, or fatalities at the incident.
Cooperating Agency:
An agency supplying assistance other than direct tactical or support functions or resources to the incident control effort (e.g., Red Cross, telephone company, etc.).
Coordination:
The process of systematically analysing a situation, developing relevant information, and informing appropriate command authority of viable alternatives for selection of the most effective combination of available resources to meet specific objectives. The coordination process (which can be either intra- or inter-agency) does not involve dispatch actions. However, personnel responsible for coordination may perform command or dispatch functions within the limits established by specific agency delegations, procedures, legal authority, etc.
Coordination Center:
A general term used to describe any facility that is used for the coordination of agency or jurisdictional resources in support of one or more incidents, such as a Command Post.
Cost Unit:
Functional unit within the Finance Section responsible for tracking costs, analysing cost data, making cost estimates, and recommending cost-saving measures.
Crew:
(See Single Resource.)
-D-
Delegation of Authority:
A statement provided to the Incident Commander by an Agency or Company Executive delegating authority and assigning responsibility.
Deputy:
A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, could be delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or perform a specific task. In some cases, a Deputy could act as relief for a superior and therefore must be fully qualified in the position. Deputies can be assigned to the Incident Commander, General Staff, and Branch Directors.
Demobilization Unit:
Functional unit within the Planning Section responsible for assuring orderly, safe, and efficient
demobilization of incident resources.
Director:
The ICS title for individuals responsible for supervision of a Branch.
Dispatch:
The implementation of a command decision to move a resource or resources from one place to another.
Dispatch Center:
A facility from which resources are assigned to an incident.
Division:
Divisions are used to divide an incident into geographical areas of operation. A Division is located within the ICS organization between the Branch and the Task Force/Strike Team. (See Group.)
Documentation Unit:
Functional unit within the Planning Section responsible for collecting, recording, and safeguarding all documents relevant to the incident.
-E-
Emergency Incident:
In British Columbia, a situation as defined by Emergency Program Act, Environment Management Act and other provincial acts and regulations which requires saving lives, reducing suffering, protecting property and the environment and mitigating economic and social losses.
Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA):
A health-care specialist with particular skills and knowledge in pre-hospital emergency medicine.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC):
A pre-designated facility established by an agency or jurisdiction to coordinate the overall agency or jurisdictional response and support to an emergency response.
Emergency Response (Contingency) Plan:
The plan that each jurisdiction has and maintains for responding to hazards.
-F-
Facilities Unit:
Functional unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section that provides fixed facilities for the incident. These facilities may include the Incident Base, feeding areas, sleeping areas, sanitary facilities, etc.
Field Operations Guide (FOG):
A pocket-size manual of instructions on the application of the Incident Command System.
Finance / Administration Section:
The Section responsible for all incident costs and financial considerations. Includes the Time Unit, Procurement Unit, Compensation/Claims Unit, and Cost Unit.
Food Unit:
Functional unit within the Service Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for providing meals for incident personnel.
Function:
In ICS, function refers to the five major activities in the ICS, i.e., Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The term function is also used when describing the activity involved, e.g., the planning function.
-G-
General Staff:
The group of incident management personnel reporting to the Incident Commander. They may each have a deputy, as needed. The General Staff consists of:
- Operations Section Chief
- Planning Section Chief
- Logistics Section Chief
- Finance / Administration Section Chief
Ground Support Unit:
Functional unit within the Support Branch of the ogistics Section responsible for the fueling, maintaining, and repairing of vehicles, and the transportation of personnel and supplies.
Group:
Groups are established to divide the incident into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within a single geographic division. (See Division.) Groups are located between Branches (when activated) and Resources in the Operations Section.
-H-
Helibase:
The main location for parking, fueling, maintenance, and loading of helicopters operating in support of an incident. It is usually located at or near the incident base.
Helispot:
Any designated location where a helicopter can safely take off and land. Some helispots may be used for loading of supplies, equipment, or personnel.
-I-
Incident:
An occurrence either human caused or by natural phenomena, that requires action by emergency service personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources.
Incident Action Plan:
Contains objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy and specific tactical actions and supporting information for the next operational period. The Plan may be oral or written. When written, the Plan may have a number of forms as attachments (e.g., traffic plan, safety plan, communications plan, map, etc.).
Incident Base:
Location at the incident where the primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered. (Incident name or other designator will be added to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post may be collocated with the Base.
Incident Commander:
The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations at the incident site.
Incident Command Post (ICP):
The location at which the primary command functions are executed. The ICP may be collocated with the incident base or other incident facilities.
Incident Command System (ICS):
A standardized on-scene emergency management concept specifically designed to allow its user(s) to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.
Incident Communications Center:
The location of the Communications Unit and the Message Center.
Incident Management Team:
The Incident Commander and appropriate Command and General Staff personnel assigned to an incident. Incident Mangement Team is also generally referred to as an Emergency Response Team.
Incident Objectives:
Statements of guidance and direction necessary for the selection of appropriate strategy(s), and the tactical direction of resources. Incident objectives are based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when all allocated resources have been effectively deployed. Incident objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical alternatives.
Information Officer:
A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media or with other agencies requiring information directly from the incident. There is only one Information Officer per incident. The Information Officer may have assistants.
Initial Action:
The actions taken by resources which are the first to arrive at an incident.
Initial Response:
Resources initially committed to an incident.
Incident Support Organization:
Includes any off-incident support provided to an incident. Examples would be Agency Dispatch centers, Airports, Mobilization Centers, etc.
-J-
Jurisdiction:
The range or sphere of authority. Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal responsibilities and authority for incident mitigation.
Jurisdictional authority at an incident can be political/geographical (e.g., municipal, provincial, federal, First Nations, private sector boundary lines) or functional (e.g., police department, health department, etc.). (See Multijurisdiction.)
Jurisdictional Agency:
The agency having jurisdiction and responsibility for a specific geographical area, or a mandated function.
-L-
Leader:
The ICS title for an individual responsible for a Task Force, Strike Team, or functional unit.
Liaison Officer:
A member of the Command Staff responsible for coordinating with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies.
Logistics Section:
The Section responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials for the incident.
-M-
Managers:
Individuals within ICS organizational units that are assigned specific managerial responsibilities, e.g., Staging Area Manager or Camp Manager.
Management by Objectives (MBO):
In ICS, this is a top-down management activity which involves a three-step process to achieve the incident goal. The steps are: establishing the incident objectives, selection of appropriate strategy(s) to achieve the objectives, and the tactical direction associated with the selected strategy. Tactical direction includes. selection of tactics, selection of resources, resource assignments, and performance monitoring.
Medical Unit:
Functional unit within the Service Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for the development of the Medical Emergency Plan, and for providing emergency medical treatment of incident personnel.
Message Center:
The Message Center is part of the Incident Communications Center and is collocated or placed adjacent to it. It receives, records, and routes information about resources reporting to the incident, resource status, and administrative and tactical traffic.
Mobilization:
The process and procedures used by all agencies and organizations activating, assembling, and transporting all resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident.
Mobilization Center:
An off-incident location at which emergency service personnel and equipment are temporarily located pending assignment, release, or reassignment.
Multi-Agency Incident:
An incident where one or more agencies assist a jurisdictional agency or agencies. May be single or unified command.
Multijurisdiction Incident:
An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that have a statutory responsibility for incident mitigation. In ICS these incidents will be managed under Unified Command.
Mutual Aid Agreement:
Written agreement between agencies and/or jurisdictions in which they agree to assist one another upon request, by furnishing personnel and equipment.
-O-
Officer:
The ICS title for the personnel responsible for the Command Staff positions of Safety, Liaison, and Information.
Operational Period:
The period of time scheduled for execution of a given set of operation actions as specified in the Incident Action Plan. Operational Periods can be of various lengths, although usually not over 24 hours.
Operations Section:
The Section responsible for all tactical operations at the incident. Includes Branches, Divisions and/or Groups, Task Forces, Strike Teams, Single Resources, and Staging Areas.
Out-of-Service Resources:
Resources assigned to an incident but unable to respond for mechanical, rest, or personnel reasons.
Overhead Personnel:
Personnel who are assigned to supervisory positions which include Incident Commander, Command Staff, General Staff, Directors, Supervisors, and Unit Leaders.
-P-
Planning Meeting:
A meeting held as needed throughout the duration of an incident, to select specific strategies and tactics for incident control operations, and for service and support planning. On larger incidents, the planning meeting is a major element in the development of the Incident Action Plan.
Planning Section:
Responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of tactical information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of Incident Action Plans. The Section also maintains information on the current and forecasted situation, and on the status of resources assigned to the incident. Includes the Situation, Resource, Documentation, and Demobilization Units, as well as Technical Specialists.
Procurement Unit:
Functional unit within the Finance/Administration Section responsible for financial matters involving vendor contracts.
-R-
Recorders:
Individuals within ICS organizational units who are responsible for recording information. Recorders may be found in Planning, Logistics, and Finance/ Administration Units.
Reporting Locations:
Location or facilities where incoming resources can check-in at the incident. (See Check-in.)
Responsible Party (RP):
Refers an agency or company taking responsibility for impact mitigation (e.g. cleanup, response management) as result of their possible or potential cause of the incident - generally refered to as the spiller or polluter.
Resources Unit:
Functional unit within the Planning Section responsible for recording the status of resources committed to the incident. The Unit also evaluates resources currently committed to the incident, the impact that additional responding resources will have on the incident, and anticipated resource needs.
Resources:
Personnel and equipment available, or potentially available, for assignment to incidents. Resources are described by kind and type, e.g., ground vehicles, tankers, trailers, water vessels, skimmers, boom, air craft, etc., and may be used in tactical support or overhead capacities at an incident.
-S-
Safety Officer:
A member of the Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations, and for developing measures for ensuring personnel safety. The Safety Officer may have assistants.
Section:
That organization level with responsibility for a major functional area of the incident, e.g., Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration. The Section is organizationally between Branch and Incident Commander.
Segment:
A geographical area in which a task force/strike team leader or supervisor of a single resource is assigned authority and responsibility for the coordination of resources and implementation of planned tactics. A segment may be a portion of a division or an area inside or outside the perimeter of an incident.
Service Branch:
A Branch within the Logistics Section responsible for service activities at the incident. Includes the Communications, Medical, and Food Units.
Single Resource:
An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an incident.
Situation Unit:
Functional unit within the Planning Section responsible for the collection, organization, and analysis of incident status information, and for analysis of the situation as it progresses. Reports to the Planning Section Chief.
Span of Control:
The supervisory ratio of from three-to-seven individuals, with five-to-one being established as optimum.
Staging Area:
Staging Areas are locations set up at an incident where resources can be placed while awaiting a
tactical assignment. Staging Areas are managed by the Operations Section.
Strategy:
The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives.
Strike Team:
Specified combinations of the same kind and type of resources, with common communications and a leader.
Supervisor:
The ICS title for individuals responsible for command of a Division or Group.
Supply Unit:
Functional unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for ordering equipment and supplies required for incident operations.
Support Branch:
A Branch within the Logistics Section responsible for providing personnel, equipment, and supplies to support incident operations. Includes the Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units.
Supporting Agency:
The term used in the BCERMS to designate provincial assisting and cooperating agencies.
Supporting Materials:
Refers to the several attachments that may be included with an Incident Action Plan, e.g., communications plan, map, safety plan, traffic plan, and medical plan.
Support Resources:
Non-tactical resources under the supervision of the Logistics, Planning, Finance/Administration Sections, or the Command Staff.
-T-
Tactical Direction:
Direction given by the Operations Section Chief which includes the tactics appropriate for the selected strategy, the selection and assignment of resources, tactics implementation, and performance monitoring for each operational period.
Task Force:
A combination of single resources assembled for a particular tactical need, with common communications and a leader.
Team:
(See Single Resource.)
Technical Specialists:
Personnel with special skills that can be used anywhere within the ICS organization.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS):
Temporary airspace restrictions for non-emergency aircraft in the incident area. NOTAMSs are
established by Transport Canada to ensure aircraft safety.
Time Unit:
Functional unit within the Finance/Administration Section responsible for recording time for incident personnel and hired equipment.
Type:
Refers to resource capability. A Type 1 resource provides a greater overall capability due to power, size, capacity, etc., than would be found in a Type 2 resource. Resource typing provides managers with additional information in selecting the best resource for the task. Kind and typing of resources
-U-
Unified Area Command:
A Unified Area Command is established when incidents under an Area Command are multijurisdictional. (See Area Command and Unified Command.)
Unified Command:
In ICS, Unified Command is a unified team effort which allows all agencies with responsibility for the incident, either geographical or functional, to manage an incident by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies. This is accomplished without losing or abdicating agency authority, responsibility, or accountability.
Unit:
The organizational element having functional responsibility for a specific incident planning, logistics, or finance / administration activity.
Unity of Command:
The concept by which each person within an organization reports to one and only one designated person.
Abbreviations:
- AES - Atmospheric Environment Services (Environment Canada)
- BCERMS - British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (Canadian)
- BCO - Burrard Clean Operations Ltd (Certified Response Organization on British Columbia).
- CCG - Canadian Coast Guard
- CLC - International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
- CMRMC - Canadian Marine Response Management Corporation (Umbrella organization for Response Organizations)
- CSA - Canada Shipping Act (Canadian)
- DGPS - Digital Glopal Positioning System (international)
- DND - Department of National Defence (Canadian)
- DWT - Dead Weight Ton (international)
- EC - Environment Canada (Canadian)
- ECDIS - Electronic Chart Display Information System (international)
- EERO - Environmental Emergency Response Officer (BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks)
- EPC - Emergency Preparedness Canada (Canadian)
- ERT - Emergency Response Team (international)
- ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival (international)
- FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (United States)
- FOG - Field Operations Guide (United States)
- FOSC - Federal On-scene Commander (United States/Canada - federal agency)
- FMO - Federal Monitoring Officer (Canada - federa)
- GRT - Gross Registered Tonnage (international)
- HP - Horse Power (international)
- HQ - Headquarters (international)
- IAP - Incident Action Plan (international)
- IC - Incident Commander (international)
- ICS - Incident Command System (international)
- IMO - International Maritime Organization (international)
- IOPC - International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (international)
- ISM - International Safety Management System (international)
- MARPOL 73/78 - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (international)
- MSO - Marine Safety Office (federal - United States)
- MCTS - Marine Control Traffic Service (Canadian)
- OSRIS - BC Marine Oil Spill Response Information System (Canadian)
- OPA 90 - Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (United States)
- OSC - On-Scene Co-ordinator (US Environmental Protection Agency)
- PEP - Provincial Emergency Program (Canadian - British Columbia)
- QI - Qualified Individual (United States)
- NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (United States)
- REET - Regional Environmental Emergency Team (federal Canadian)
- RO - Response Organization (Canadian)
- RP - Responsible Party - "spiller" (Canadian/United States)
- SITREP - Situation Report (Canadian/United States)
- SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (international)
- SRO - Spill Response Officer (Canadian Coast Guard)
- SOPF - Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund (Canadian)
- TAPS - Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (United States)
- USCG - United States Coast Guard
- STCW - Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (international)
- SOLAS - Safety of Life at Sea (international)
- VTS - Vessel Traffic Services (United States)
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