Transfer of Command

7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.

The Incident Command System (ICS) relies on interagency communications between firefighting resources for collaborative fire suppression. This Standard Firefighting Order shows a variety of firefighting resources working together to effectively suppress a wildland fire.

Read about all 10 Standard Firefighting Orders.

Risks to fireline personnel increase significantly during transfer of command periods regardless of the size or complexity of the incident. There is a high potential for fatalities, serious injuries, or incidents during transfer of command. Be proactive in mitigating the risks by proper implementation of LCES – Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones.

Factors for increased risks to fireline personnel during transition periods include:

• No or poor briefing of incoming personnel.
• Lack of fire weather and behavior information, both forecast and observed.
• Communications: face-to-face briefings may not be possible and radio frequencies may be overextended and/or changing due to the increased demands on the system.
• Initial attack resources may not have checked in and the Incident Commander (IC) may not be aware of the number, type, and location of all resources.
• Location of safety zones and escape routes may not be known and communicated to all resources.
• Not all resources know who is in command.

Mitigation actions to take:

• Lookouts: post and maintain your own lookouts.
• Communications: maintain existing communications with your own and adjacent resources, as well as your original supervisor, while you are developing communications with incoming adjacent resources and your new supervisor.
• Escape routes and safety zones: identify escape routes and ensure incoming resources are aware of their locations; be aware that your original escape routes and safety zones may no longer be accessible due to changing fire behavior or your increased distance from them.
• Plan for transitions to occur at the morning briefing.
• Utilize the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Briefing Checklist (inside back cover).