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Referencing the content of incident command, NIMS, and National Response Framework readiness

ICS Readiness · Chapter 4

Delegation of Authority and Management by Objectives

B2 — ICS operations (IS-200)

Why this chapter matters

Authority must be clear in writing or policy; objectives drive the IAP and measurable outcomes.

Learning objectives (3)

  1. Explain delegation of authority — Documentation granting IC authority from agency administrators.
  2. Use unified command — Coordinated objectives with shared IC structure when agencies share jurisdiction.
  3. Write incident objectives — Clear, measurable statements of desired outcomes for the operational period.

Chapter outline

  1. Engage: conflicting orders from multiple chiefs
  2. Delegation of authority
  3. Unified command
  4. Incident objectives
  5. Management by objectives cycle

Vocabulary (16)

delegation of authority
Grant of IC authority by agency administrator or law.
unified command
Shared command structure with coordinated objectives.
incident objectives
Desired outcomes for the operational period or incident.
Incident Action Plan (IAP)
Plan containing objectives, strategies, tactics, and assignments.
strategy
General plan to achieve incident objectives.
tactic
Specific action to implement strategy.
operational period
Time frame for which the IAP applies.
command direction
Guidance from IC or unified command on priorities.
measurable objective
Objective that can be assessed for completion.
agency administrator
Official who may delegate authority to IC.
jurisdiction
Legal boundaries for authority and responsibility.
policy
Guidance that constrains incident decisions.
priorities
Life safety, incident stabilization, property/environment protection.
work plan
Assignments supporting tactics for the period.
safety message
Priority information on hazards and mitigations.
planning cycle
Repeating process to develop and revise the IAP.

Sequence practice (1 puzzles on Quiz Me)

Delegation of Authority and Management by Objectives

Put these ICS readiness steps in a logical order.

  1. Management by objectives cycle
  2. Delegation of authority
  3. Unified command
  4. Incident objectives
  5. Engage: conflicting orders from multiple chiefs

Quick fire sample (15 of 28 on Quiz Me)

Delegation of authority should be:
  1. Clear and documented
  2. Verbal only always
  3. Unknown to IC
  4. Ignored
Unified command is used when:
  1. Multiple agencies share jurisdiction
  2. One person only responds
  3. No objectives exist
  4. ICS is prohibited
Incident objectives must be:
  1. Clear and measurable
  2. Secret
  3. Unrelated to command
  4. Only financial
The IAP includes:
  1. Objectives, strategies, tactics, assignments
  2. Only press releases
  3. Only retirement plans
  4. Only maps with no text
A tactic is:
  1. Specific action to carry out strategy
  2. National policy law
  3. Only insurance claim
  4. Only hiring
Operational period defines:
  1. Time scope of the current IAP
  2. Career length of IC
  3. Only fiscal year
  4. Only training year
Management by objectives includes:
  1. Developing and assigning work to meet objectives
  2. Avoiding documentation
  3. No strategies
  4. No safety
Command direction sets:
  1. Priorities and constraints for planning
  2. Only meal menus
  3. Only uniforms
  4. Only vehicle paint
Agency administrator may:
  1. Delegate authority to IC
  2. Replace all tactics personally always
  3. Eliminate NIMS
  4. Remove NRF
Priorities typically include:
  1. Life safety and stabilization
  2. Only paperwork speed
  3. Only parking
  4. Only catering
Strategy describes:
  1. How objectives will be met broadly
  2. Individual tool maintenance only
  3. Only payroll codes
  4. Only media buys
Planning cycle supports:
  1. Regular IAP updates
  2. No briefings
  3. Static org forever
  4. No resource tracking
Grant of IC authority by agency administrator or law.
  1. incident objectives
  2. delegation of authority
  3. strategy
  4. unified command
Shared command structure with coordinated objectives.
  1. agency administrator
  2. jurisdiction
  3. unified command
  4. safety message
Desired outcomes for the operational period or incident.
  1. work plan
  2. incident objectives
  3. command direction
  4. strategy

Full scored drills are on Quiz Me at /courses/ics-readiness/chapters/04/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.