← back to chapter

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

ICS Readiness · Chapter 5

Single Resources, Divisions, Groups, Branches

B2 — ICS operations (IS-200)

Why this chapter matters

Organizational depth matches geography and function; span of control keeps supervision effective.

Learning objectives (3)

  1. Differentiate division and group — Division is geographic; group is functional.
  2. Apply span of control — Supervisors manage about 3 to 7 subordinates.
  3. Use resource designators — Standard identifiers aid tracking and ordering.

Chapter outline

  1. Engage: too many resources for one supervisor
  2. Single resources and crews
  3. Divisions and groups
  4. Branches and directors
  5. Resource identifiers

Vocabulary (16)

division
Organizational level responsible for operations in a geographic area.
group
Organizational level responsible for a functional area.
branch
Organizational level between division/group and operations chief.
task force
Mixed resources with common communications reporting to one leader.
strike team
Same kind and type resources with common communications.
single resource
Individual or single piece of equipment.
crew
Teams of personnel with shared supervision.
Operations Section Chief
Oversees tactical execution.
supervisor
Individual responsible for assigned resources.
resource identifier
Code linking resource to incident and home unit.
geographic assignment
Work defined by map area.
functional assignment
Work defined by activity type.
organizational level
Depth in ICS chart (branch, division, etc.).
overhead team
Leaders and staff not in direct tactical line.
tactical resource
Resource performing hands-on work.
expansion of organization
Adding positions as incident grows.

Sequence practice (1 puzzles on Quiz Me)

Single Resources, Divisions, Groups, Branches

Put these ICS readiness steps in a logical order.

  1. Branches and directors
  2. Single resources and crews
  3. Divisions and groups
  4. Resource identifiers
  5. Engage: too many resources for one supervisor

Quick fire sample (15 of 28 on Quiz Me)

A division is organized by:
  1. Geography
  2. Only finance codes
  3. Only media type
  4. Only rank
A group is organized by:
  1. Function
  2. Only ZIP codes
  3. Only aircraft tail numbers
  4. Only hospital floors
A task force:
  1. Combines mixed resources with one leader
  2. Is only one person always
  3. Eliminates ICS
  4. Replaces EOC
A strike team:
  1. Same kind/type with one leader
  2. Random uncoordinated assets
  3. Only finance staff
  4. Only PIO staff
Span of control recommends:
  1. 3 to 7 subordinates
  2. 20 to 30
  3. Unlimited
  4. Zero
Branch director reports to:
  1. Operations Section Chief
  2. Only FEMA Administrator
  3. Only Governor always
  4. Only media
Resource identifiers support:
  1. Tracking and ordering
  2. Secrecy only
  3. No accountability
  4. Eliminating IAP
Supervisors are responsible for:
  1. Assigned resources and safety
  2. National legislation
  3. Only catering contracts
  4. Only archives
Organization expands when:
  1. Complexity and workload increase
  2. Incident ends
  3. No resources arrive
  4. PIO absent
Single resource can be:
  1. One person or one piece of equipment
  2. Only a building
  3. Only a law
  4. Only a policy
Crews are:
  1. Teams under common supervision
  2. Always unorganized
  3. Only virtual
  4. Only federal
Operations Chief manages:
  1. Tactical execution
  2. Only payroll nationally
  3. Only ESF 12
  4. Only lifelines doctrine only
Organizational level responsible for operations in a geographic area.
  1. branch
  2. single resource
  3. division
  4. overhead team
Organizational level responsible for a functional area.
  1. overhead team
  2. geographic assignment
  3. single resource
  4. group
Organizational level between division/group and operations chief.
  1. division
  2. expansion of organization
  3. branch
  4. resource identifier

Full scored drills are on Quiz Me at /courses/ics-readiness/chapters/05/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.