Command Setup: Command Staff
Purpose Statement
- Command Staff management in the Command Module allows departments to create and maintain standardized incident command positions that can be utilized on the command board during emergency incidents. This feature ensures proper organizational structure and role assignment during incident response operations.
Background Information
- Command Staff positions represent the various leadership and specialized roles within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure. These positions are essential for maintaining clear chain of command and responsibility allocation during emergency operations. The Command Setup feature provides centralized management of these positions, allowing administrators to create, edit, archive, and reactivate command staff roles as operational needs change.
Required Permissions
- Users must have the appropriate level of the Incident Commands Templates 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
1. In Web Responder, select the Responder Module and then Command Setup.
2. In Command Setup, select Command Staff.
3. To create a new Command Staff position, select the "+ Command Staff" button.
4. Enter the Name of the Command Staff and then select Create
5. The Command Staff can be Edited using the Pencil icon.
6. The Command Staff can also be Archived by selecting the File Box Icon
7. Once Archived, a Command Staff entry can be made active again by selecting the Checkmark.
Best Practices
- Use standardized ICS position names to maintain consistency across incidents
- Create command staff positions based on your department's typical incident response structure
- Regularly review and update position names to reflect current operational procedures
- Archive outdated or unused positions rather than deleting them permanently
- Maintain a comprehensive list of positions to support various incident types and scales
- Train personnel on proper use of command staff assignments during incidents
- Consider creating positions for both routine and specialized incident types
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why can't I see the Command Staff option in Command Setup?
A: Verify you have the necessary Command Module permissions and administrative access rights.
A: Verify you have the necessary Command Module permissions and administrative access rights.
Q: Can I create duplicate command staff position names?
A: Duplicate position names should be avoided to maintain clarity in the command structure.
A: Duplicate position names should be avoided to maintain clarity in the command structure.
Q: What happens to archived command staff positions?
A: Archived positions are stored in the archive section and can be reactivated when needed without losing configuration data.
A: Archived positions are stored in the archive section and can be reactivated when needed without losing configuration data.
Q: How many command staff positions can I create?
A: There is typically no strict limit, but create only the positions your department actively uses to avoid confusion.
A: There is typically no strict limit, but create only the positions your department actively uses to avoid confusion.
Q: Can I edit a position that's currently being used in an active incident?
A: Editing capabilities may be restricted for positions actively assigned during ongoing incidents.
A: Editing capabilities may be restricted for positions actively assigned during ongoing incidents.
Q: Will archiving a position affect historical incident data?
A: Historical incident records typically retain the position information even after archiving.
A: Historical incident records typically retain the position information even after archiving.
Related Articles
Related Articles
Command Setup: Overall Strategies
Purpose Statement Overall strategies in the Command Module allow incident commanders to establish standardized response approaches for different types of emergencies. This feature enables departments to create, manage, and deploy pre-defined ...Command Setup: Assignments
Purpose Statement Assignments in the Command Module allow incident commanders to create and manage standardized job tasks that can be assigned to personnel during emergency operations. This feature ensures consistent task allocation and helps track ...Command Setup: Annotations
Purpose Statement This feature allows users to create, edit, and manage visual annotations within the Command Module's map interface. Annotations provide essential visual communication tools for incident commanders to mark areas, measure distances, ...Command Setup: Templates
Purpose Statement Command templates in First Due allow departments to create standardized incident command structures that automatically populate based on dispatch incident types. These templates function as digital tactical worksheets, providing ...Command Setup: Resource Requests
Purpose Statement Resource Requests in the Command Module serve as automated reminders and punch lists for incident commanders to ensure critical outside resources and agencies are contacted during emergency operations. This feature helps prevent ...