A. Provides an orientation to individual resources at the beginning of their assignments
B. Sets forth the specific tasks, reporting relationships, and expectations for support staff
C. Presents the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the upcoming period to supervisory personnel
D. Helps keep the public and media informed about the incident status and operational accomplishments
The correct answer is C. Presents the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the upcoming period to supervisory personnel best describes the Operational Period Briefing.
The Operational Period Briefing is a meeting held at the beginning of each operational period to communicate the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the upcoming period to supervisory personnel. The IAP outlines the overall incident objectives, strategies, tactics, and resource assignments for the upcoming period. It also identifies any safety concerns, operational issues, and potential problems that need to be addressed. The briefing is critical to ensure that all personnel understand their roles and responsibilities, and that everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Purpose Operational Period Briefing:
The primary purpose of the Operational Period Briefing is to convey essential information and instructions to the personnel responsible for managing and responding to an incident. It ensures that everyone involved in the operation understands their roles, responsibilities, objectives, and the overall strategy for the upcoming operational period.
Timing Operational Period Briefing:
Operational Period Briefings typically occur at the beginning of each operational period, which is a specified time frame during an incident response – 24 hours. This ensures that all personnel are on the same page and have up-to-date information.
Components of Operational Period Briefing:
- IAP Presentation: The briefing includes a presentation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP), which is a comprehensive document detailing the strategies, tactics, resources, and objectives for managing the incident during the operational period.
- Safety Considerations: Safety measures, hazards, and precautions are emphasized to protect the well-being of responders and the public.
- Resource Assignments: Supervisory personnel are informed about their specific assignments and resource allocations, including personnel, equipment, and facilities.
- Objectives and Priorities: Clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations are outlined to guide decision-making and actions.
- Current Situation: An overview of the current incident situation, including any changes or developments, is provided.
- Communications Plan: Details about communication protocols, frequencies, and contact information are shared to ensure effective information exchange.
- Weather and Environmental Conditions: Information about weather forecasts, environmental conditions, and any potential impacts on the incident response is discussed.
Key Roles:
The Incident Commander (IC) or Unified Command (if multiple agencies are involved) is responsible for conducting the Operational Period Briefing. Other supervisory personnel, such as Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, and Division/Group Supervisors, participate in the briefing.
- Two-Way Communication: The briefing is not a one-way presentation. It provides an opportunity for personnel to ask questions, seek clarifications, and share their observations and concerns, fostering effective two-way communication.
- Consistency: Standardized formats and terminology, as outlined in ICS, are used to ensure consistency in briefings across incidents and jurisdictions. This helps avoid confusion and misinterpretation.
- Documentation: The information presented during the Operational Period Briefing is typically documented and may be distributed to all personnel, serving as a reference for the operational period.