When an incident expands
Incidents can start small and then expand rapidly. This can be due to a number of factors, such as:
- The nature of the incident. Some incidents, such as wildfires or hurricanes, are inherently large and complex. Others, such as a chemical spill or a building fire, may start small but quickly grow in scope.
- The location of the incident. Incidents that occur in densely populated areas or in areas with limited access may be more difficult to contain and control.
- The resources available to respond to the incident. If the initial response is inadequate, the incident may quickly grow out of control.
When an incident expands, it is important to be prepared to scale up the response. This may involve activating additional resources, such as personnel, equipment, and supplies. It may also require establishing a more complex incident command system (ICS) to manage the response.
What are the signs that an incident is expanding?
There are a number of signs that an incident may be expanding. These include:
- The incident is growing in size or scope. For example, a fire may spread to multiple buildings or a chemical spill may contaminate a larger area.
- The incident is becoming more complex. For example, a natural disaster may cause multiple hazards, such as flooding, wind damage, and power outages.
- The initial response is not effective. For example, the fire is not being contained or the chemical spill is not being cleaned up.
What are the steps to take when an incident expands?
The following steps should be taken when an incident expands:
- Assess the situation. The incident commander (IC) should assess the situation to determine the extent of the expansion. This will help to determine the resources and personnel that are needed to respond.
- Activate additional resources. The IC should activate additional resources as needed. This may include personnel from other jurisdictions, specialized equipment, or supplies.
- Establish a more complex ICS. The IC may need to establish a more complex ICS to manage the expanded response. This may involve creating additional sections or divisions.
- Communicate with all stakeholders. The IC should communicate with all stakeholders, including the public, media, and other agencies. This will help to ensure that everyone is aware of the situation and the response efforts.
Questions about expanding incidents
- How can an incident commander (IC) determine if an incident is expanding?
The IC should assess the situation to determine the extent of the expansion. This will help to determine the resources and personnel that are needed to respond. Some factors that the IC should consider include the size and scope of the incident, the location of the incident, and the resources available to respond to the incident.
- What are the steps that an IC should take if an incident expands?
The IC should take the following steps if an incident expands:
* **Assess the situation.** * **Activate additional resources.** * **Establish a more complex ICS.** * **Communicate with all stakeholders.** - What are some examples of expanding incidents?
Some examples of expanding incidents include:
* **Wildfires:** Wildfires can quickly spread and become very large. * **Hurricanes:** Hurricanes can cause extensive damage over a wide area. * **Chemical spills:** Chemical spills can contaminate a large area and pose a serious health hazard. * **Building fires:** Building fires can spread quickly and become very dangerous. By being prepared to scale up the response when an incident expands, incident commanders can help to ensure that the response is effective and that the public is safe.
