INCIDENT ACTION PLAN –IAP

 Joanne Hull | July 28, 2014

I see it at every incident…..that deer in the headlights look.  You can always tell when someone is arriving at an incident for the first time.  That confused, where do I go now look on their face.   You’re certainly not underrepresented so don’t be alarmed because frankly , you may just happen to be part of  the vast majority.

If you were to ask any of the seasoned emergency managers what is the most intimidating thing about a disaster, they will probably respond by saying, “just showing up”.   Your first day at any field office can be intimidating.  Emergency workers flying in from every part of the country, wearing shirts with more federal, state, local and agency logos than you every knew existed. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of staff depending on the size of the incident.

The overarching question now is…how to find clarity and neutralize the intimidation in what seems like, on this first day,  a complex and alternate universe.  How do you find the intersection between confusion and resolve?

First Clue……

Run, do not stop at go, and find a copy of the INCIDENT ACTION PLAN or, IAP as it is referred to by every disaster manager and responder.

This remarkable platform will tell you everything you need to know.  Your own personal force multiplier for clarity and understanding, dissecting the incident, and bringing balance to all the confusion.  This disaster diary just states facts; it doesn’t attach opinions.

Translation: It speaks optically to you with maps, graphs, charts, forms, etc., all at your disposal just by turning pages.  It peels back the intricacies and navigates the incident objectives right before your eyes….including no ambiguous line of authority.  The staffing pattern and organization chart appear like pieces on a chess board allowing you to locate the staff  members you may be looking for at any particular moment in time.

THE IAP SETS PRIORITIES AND WILL ADDRESS:

The Operational Period.

Incident Objectives

Strategies and Tactics

Organizational Charts

Branch, Division, and Group Functions

Assignments

Climate Conditions

Communications Plan

Logistics Plan

Medical Plan

Safety Plan

Maps 

Incident Playbook– Diary– Bible…….

Call it what you will but, whatever you call it, a view from the catbird seat is ever so fabulous.

And by the way,

If all else fails— come and see me, the Chief of Staff.   I’ll leave an arrow out for you pointing to the sign on my door.