Command: Manage Divisions
Purpose Statement
The Manage Division section in the Command Module enables incident commanders to organize and control complex, large-scale incidents by creating and managing multiple operational divisions within the command structure. This feature allows users to assign division supervisors, allocate radio frequencies, track independent PAR timers for each division, move assignments and units between divisions, and maintain separate command boards for each division while retaining centralized oversight of the entire incident operation.
Background Information
Large-scale or complex incidents often require subdivision of the incident into manageable operational sectors or divisions to maintain effective span of control. The Manage Division section provides the organizational structure and tools necessary to implement this multi-division command approach within First Due.
Key capabilities include:
Division Creation and Management
- Create divisions from pre-configured options in Command Setup or create custom divisions
- Create multiple divisions simultaneously for efficient incident organization
- Arrange divisions in any order for optimal visualization
- Each division maintains its own command board structure mirroring the main incident command board
Division Details and Settings
- Division Supervisor Assignment: Assign specific system users as division supervisors with forced assignment capability (no acceptance required)
- Radio Frequency Assignment: Assign tactical frequencies from Command Setup to each division
- Independent PAR Timers: Each division has its own PAR timer that mirrors the main incident command board timer threshold but runs independently and can be reset separately
- PAR Timer Behavior: Division timers turn yellow at one minute before threshold and turn red when threshold is reached, identical to main command board timer behavior
Assignment and Unit Management
- Move assignments (with their assigned units) between divisions and incident command board via drag-and-drop
- Move unassigned units between divisions and incident command board
- Create new assignments directly within specific divisions
- Create new unassigned units within specific divisions
- View divisions in two modes: Assignments view and Unassigned Units view
Access and Permissions
- Command Board Users: Full access to all divisions with editing capabilities across the entire incident
- Division Supervisors: Full editing access only to their assigned division; read-only access to incident command board and other divisions
Critical Behaviors
- Deleting a division removes all assignments within that division and returns all units to the incident command board's unassigned units section
- The incident command board always remains on the far left of the division section
- All division actions are automatically logged in the Log section
- The command board selector determines which division is currently active for editing
Required Permissions
- Users must have the appropriate level of
the Incident Commands permission configured in their role:
- Read: View command boards in read-only mode
- Update: Modify command board settings and information
- Create: Initiate new command boards and add custom items
- Delete: Remove command board elements and complete incidents
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Creating Divisions
- Click the "Add Items" dropdown menu on the command board and select "Divisions" from the dropdown options
- Search existing divisions from Command Setup. Select multiple divisions simultaneously (e.g., Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta). Users can also create a custom division by typing the complete name of the new custom Division iNto the search bar and select "Create. Divisions appear next to the Incident Command area on the far left of the division section
Organizing Division Layout
- Rearrange Divisions: Select the vertical ellipses (three dots) on any division and then drag and drop the Divisions to the desired position within the division section.
- Toggle Detail View: Use the toggle in the top left to hide or display detailed division information
Configuring Division Details
- Assign Division Supervisor: Select supervisor from dropdown list of system users, then click "Assign Now" to assign supervisor without requiring acceptance.
- Set Radio Frequency: Choose frequency from list established in Command Setup
- Monitor PAR Timer: Each division has independent PAR timer matching main board threshold and Reset individual division PAR timers independently as needed.
Managing Division Icons and Functions
- Eye Icon: Click to view division's command board (changes board selector automatically)
- Pencil Icon: Click to edit or change the division name
- Trash Can Icon: Click to delete division (reassigns all units to main unassigned area)
- Board Selector: Use dropdown to switch between division views from any location
Moving Assignments Between Divisions
- Switch to Assignments View: Select the "Assignments" tab in the division section
- Select Assignment: Click on the assignment you want to move (e.g., Fire Attack), Drag the selected assignment from main board to target division. Assignments can also be moved between Divisions. If Units are attached to a Assignment, they will be transferred to the Division with the Assignment.
Creating Division-Specific Assignments
- Click "Add Items" dropdown while in manage divisions, choose "Assignments" from the options
- Choose Target Division: Select specific division for the new assignment, find an existing assignment from the list or create a custom assignment. Click "Add" to create assignment within the selected division
Moving Unassigned Units Between Divisions
- Switch to Unassigned View: Select the "Unassigned Units" tab in division section
- Move Units: Drag unassigned units from Incident Command Board to any division or move Unassigned Units between Divisions as needed.
Adding Unassigned To Divisions
- Add New Units: Use "Add Items" → "Unassigned Units" to create additional units. Unassigned Units can only be added to the Incident Command Board when in Managed Divisions, then moved to the desired Division(s).
Best Practices
Do's
- Create divisions early in large-scale incidents to establish clear span of control before operations become too complex
- Assign division supervisors who have appropriate training and system access before delegating operational responsibility
- Assign unique radio frequencies to each division to prevent communication confusion
- Reset division PAR timers independently when divisions have different operational tempos or accountability needs
- Use descriptive division names that clearly identify geographic sectors or functional areas (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or North, South, East, West)
- Monitor all division PAR timers from the Manage Division section to maintain overall incident accountability awareness
- Train division supervisors on their specific capabilities and restrictions before incidents occur
- Use the drag-and-drop functionality to quickly reorganize resources as incident needs evolve
- Verify that assignments and units have moved correctly after drag-and-drop operations
- Document the rationale for division creation and structure in command board notes or log entries
Don'ts
- Don't delete divisions without confirming you want to remove all assignments and return units to incident command
- Don't forget to verify the command board selector setting before creating assignments or unassigned units—it determines placement location
- Don't assume division supervisors have editing access to incident command board or other divisions
- Don't create excessive divisions that exceed reasonable span of control or complicate rather than simplify operations
- Don't move assignments between divisions without coordinating with affected division supervisors
- Don't neglect to assign radio frequencies to divisions, which can lead to communication challenges
- Don't forget that division PAR timers run independently and require separate monitoring and resets
- Don't use divisions for small-scale incidents where they add unnecessary complexity
- Don't assign division supervisors without ensuring they understand their system access limitations
Tips & Recommendations
- Establish department standard operating procedures for when and how to implement divisions during incidents
- Create pre-configured divisions in Command Setup for common incident types (high-rise divisions by floor, wildland divisions by geographic branch, etc.)
- Use the ability to create multiple divisions simultaneously to quickly establish incident organization structure
- Train command personnel on the difference between moving assignments (which moves assigned units) versus moving individual unassigned units
- Leverage the independent PAR timer feature for divisions operating in different hazard environments requiring different accountability timeframes
- Coordinate radio frequency assignments with dispatch to ensure tactical channels are available and don't conflict
- Use the Assignments view when reorganizing tactical operations and the Unassigned Units view when allocating available resources
- Consider displaying the Manage Division section on large screens in command post for comprehensive incident visualization
- Establish clear protocols for division supervisor authority and decision-making boundaries
- Review division structure during operational period planning to ensure it remains appropriate as incident evolves
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: I created an assignment but don't see the division selector option. Why?
A: The division selector is only visible when creating assignments if the command board selector is set to "Incident Command." If the command board selector is set to a specific division, assignments will be created in that division without showing a division selector option.
Q: What happens to assignments and units when I delete a division?
A: When a division is deleted, all assignments within that division are deleted and all units (both assigned and unassigned) are returned to the unassigned units section of the incident command board. This action cannot be undone, so confirm carefully before deleting divisions.
Q: Can a division supervisor edit the incident command board?
A: No. Division supervisors have read-only access to the incident command board. They can only edit their assigned division's command board. All other divisions and the incident command board are accessible in read-only mode.
Q: How do I force a division supervisor assignment without waiting for them to accept?
A: Use the "Assign Now" button when selecting a division supervisor. This forces the assignment immediately without requiring the user to accept a transfer, similar to forcing command transfer but specific to division supervision.
Q: Why did my PAR timer reset when I created divisions?
A: Each division's PAR timer mirrors the main incident command board timer threshold as established by the template, but each timer runs independently. Division timers don't affect the main incident command timer. If the main timer reset, it was likely reset separately from division creation.
Q: Can I move units directly from one division to another without going through incident command?
A: Yes. In the Unassigned Units view, you can drag units directly from one division to another division. The same applies to assignments in the Assignments view—they can be moved directly between divisions.
Q: Where do units go if I create them while the command board selector is set to a division?
A: New unassigned units are created in the location specified by the command board selector setting. If the selector is set to a specific division, the unit is created in that division's unassigned units. If set to "Incident Command," the unit is created in the incident command board's unassigned units.
Q: Can division supervisors see other divisions' operations?
A: Yes. Division supervisors have read-only access to all other divisions' command boards and the incident command board. They can view operations but cannot make any edits outside their assigned division.
Q: How many divisions can I create for a single incident?
A: Refer to system specifications for technical limitations. From an operational standpoint, create only as many divisions as necessary to maintain effective span of control without adding unnecessary complexity.
Q: Are division actions logged separately from incident command actions?
A: All actions across all divisions and incident command are logged together in the Log Section with detailed metadata including which division the action occurred in, timestamps, and user information. The log can be filtered to view division-specific actions.
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