Excerpt from Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4127 | Field Triage – Disasters/MCIs

Section Responsibilities

In the ICS, maintaining a manageable span of control, typically ranging from three to seven people per section chief, is crucial for effective incident management. If the span of control suggests the need for expansion, the Incident Commander (IC) assigns general staff sections (planning, operations, logistics, and/or finance/administration) to section chiefs. Section chiefs play a vital role in enacting IC’s plans, ensuring coordinated efforts toward common goals, and their assignment depends on the incident’s scope, determined by the IC.

Section chiefs in the ICS should refrain from engaging in physical tasks like carrying litters or operating rescue equipment, as it hinders their control and supervision abilities. Section chiefs report to command when a job is assigned, accomplished, or if it cannot be completed.

Finance/Administration Section

The finance/administration section is crucial for tracking costs and managing reimbursement. In a major incident, its responsibilities may involve time accounting, procurement, payment of claims, and cost estimation.

Logistics Section

The logistics section is tasked with supplying equipment, personnel, facilities, services, food, and communications support. It also includes responder rehabilitation and the support branch, which can be used for routine daily operations.

Operations Section

The operations section is responsible for directing and coordinating all emergency scene operations, ensuring personnel safety, and overseeing EMS operation areas. The operations section chief manages tactical objectives, directs front-end activities, participates in planning, modifies action plans as needed, maintains discipline, accounts for personnel, and updates command on operation progress.

Planning Section

The planning section provides past, present, and future information about the incident and resource status. Its duties may include creating a written or verbal Incident Action Plan (IAP), determined by the Incident Commander (IC). The IAP defines response activities and resource utilization for specified operational periods, typically up to 24 hours. It is especially indicated for incidents involving multiple agencies, jurisdictions, complexity, or extending beyond one operational period.