Incident Command, Communications, and Fire Prevention/Public Education
Incident command
ICS is built on common terminology, a modular organization that expands to fit the incident, management by objectives, an incident action plan, unity of command, and span of control - generally three to seven subordinates, with five as the target. The incident commander is always established and may transfer in a documented briefing. Single command applies to one jurisdiction and agency; unified command applies when several have authority. Know the organizational terms: divisions split by geography, groups by function, branches for span of control, and branches with strike teams (five like resources) or task forces (mixed resources).
Communications
Use clear text - plain language, no agency codes - because NIMS requires common terminology. Maintain radio discipline, use "emergency traffic" to break into a busy channel, and give a MAYDAY priority over all other traffic. Report benchmarks such as "primary search complete" and "fire knocked down" so command can track progress.
Prevention and public education
Prevention is the cheapest fire control. Understand code enforcement and inspection, plan review, and public education. Home smoke alarms and escape planning remain the highest-yield community risk reduction messages; fire safety education should be matched to the audience's age and risk.
Traps
Distractors confuse divisions and groups, treat unified command as a chain-of-command break, or put prevention in the post-incident phase only.
Rule of thumb
If two or more agencies share authority at one incident, use unified command - one set of objectives, one incident action plan.