Glossary of Terms

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Incident:
A human-caused or natural occurrence, such as a wildland fire or tornado or hurricane or major flood, that requires emergency service action to prevent or reduce the loss of life or damage to property or natural resources.

Incident Action Plan (IAP):
The plan that contains objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy and specific tactical actions and supporting information for the next operational period on an incident. The plan may be oral or written. When written, the plan may have a number of attachments, including incident objectives, organization assignment list, division assignment, incident radio communication plan, medical plan, traffic plan, safety plan, fire weather, and incident maps.

Incident Command Post (ICP):
Location at which primary command functions are executed. The ICP is often co-located with the incident base or other incident facilities.

Incident Command System (ICS):
The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, with responsibility for the management of assigned resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives on an incident.

Incident Commander:
The individual responsible for the management of all operations at the incident site. The IC is usually in charge of an incident management team, which may be national (Type 1) or regional or local (Type 2 or 3) and which includes a wide variety of resources and personnel.

Incident Management Team:
The incident commander and appropriate general staff or command staff personnel assigned to manage an incident. Teams vary in size and experience and are assigned based on availability of the teams and complexity of the incident.

Incident Objectives:
Statements of guidance and direction necessary for selection of appropriate strategy or strategies, and the tactical direction of assigned resources. Incident objectives are based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when all allocated resources have been effectively deployed.

Infrared Detection:
The use of heat sensing equipment, known as Infrared Scanners, for detection of heat sources that are not visually detectable by the normal surveillance methods of either ground or air patrols.

Initial Attack:
The actions taken by the first resources upon arrival at a wildfire to protect lives and property and prevent further expansion of the fire.