The Major Activities Of The Planning Section Include
The Planning Section is one of five major sections in the Incident Command System (ICS). It is responsible for gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information; preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans (IAPs); conducting long-range and/or contingency planning; developing plans for demobilization; maintaining incident documentation; and tracking resources assigned to the incident.
Questions related to the major activities of the Planning Section include:
- What are the major activities of the Planning Section?
- What is the purpose of the Planning Section?
- How does the Planning Section interact with other ICS sections?
- What are the challenges of working in the Planning Section?
Answers to these questions:
- The major activities of the Planning Section are:
- Gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information.
- Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans (IAPs).
- Conducting long-range and/or contingency planning.
- Developing plans for demobilization.
- Maintaining incident documentation.
- Tracking resources assigned to the incident.
- The purpose of the Planning Section is to provide support to the Incident Commander and other ICS sections by gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information; preparing and documenting IAPs; conducting long-range and/or contingency planning; developing plans for demobilization; maintaining incident documentation; and tracking resources assigned to the incident.
- The Planning Section interacts with other ICS sections by providing them with information and support. For example, the Planning Section provides the Operations Section with information about the incident situation and the resources available. The Planning Section also provides the Logistics Section with information about the incident needs and the resources required to meet those needs.
- The challenges of working in the Planning Section include:
- The need to be able to quickly gather and evaluate large amounts of information.
- The need to be able to communicate effectively with other ICS sections and stakeholders.
- The need to be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
The Planning Section is a critical part of the ICS. It provides the information and support that is needed to ensure the safe and effective management of an incident.
Here are some additional details about each of the major activities of the Planning Section:
Gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information
The Planning Section is responsible for gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information. This information includes data from a variety of sources, such as:
- Reports from field units
- Weather forecasts
- Geographic data
- Public health data
- Environmental data
The Planning Section uses this information to develop a clear understanding of the incident situation and to identify potential risks and hazards.
Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans (IAPs)
The Planning Section is responsible for preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans (IAPs). The IAP is a document that outlines the strategy and tactics for managing the incident. It includes information such as:
- The incident objectives
- The roles and responsibilities of each ICS section
- The resources needed to achieve the incident objectives
The IAP is a living document that is updated as the incident situation changes.
Conducting long-range and/or contingency planning
The Planning Section may be responsible for conducting long-range and/or contingency planning. Long-range planning is planning for future incidents. Contingency planning is planning for unexpected events that could occur during an incident.
Developing plans for demobilization
The Planning Section is responsible for developing plans for demobilization. Demobilization is the process of returning resources to their normal status after an incident.
Maintaining incident documentation
The Planning Section is responsible for maintaining incident documentation. This documentation includes reports, records, and other documents that are created during the incident.
Tracking resources assigned to the incident
The Planning Section is responsible for tracking resources assigned to the incident. This includes tracking the location, status, and availability of resources.
The Planning Section plays a vital role in the management of incidents. By gathering, evaluating, and displaying incident intelligence and information; preparing and documenting IAPs; conducting long-range and/or contingency planning; developing plans for demobilization; maintaining incident documentation; and tracking resources assigned to the incident, the Planning Section helps to ensure the safe and effective management of incidents.
