IMT PAE

The Incident Management Team (IMT) Practical Application Exercise (PAE) is an innovative approach to preparing an IMT for managing an incident.  The activity is part training and part practical application.  Broken into four major activities, the IMT PAE focuses on the critical steps and inputs to develop a thorough Incident Action Plan (IAP):

  • Initial Response
  • Initial Unified Command Meeting and Objectives Meeting
  • Preparing for and Executing the Tactics Meeting
  • IAP Preparation and Approval

The IMT PAE is completely modular and can be conducted on consecutive days or spread out over time.  Only the IMT members required at each step of the Planning Process need to attend a specific module.

Module 1: Initial Response

Module 1 of the IMT PAE focuses on the Initial Response phase (stem of the Operational Planning P).  It emphasizes:

  • Initiating the response and assessing the situation
  • Determining tactical actions and organizing the incident
  • Managing the incident using the Incident Briefing from (ICS-201)
  • Preparing for and conducting a Transfer of Command

Recommended IMT participants for Module 1 of the IMT PAE include:

  • Incident Commander
  • Safety Officer
  • Operations Section Chief
  • Planning Section Chief
  • Resources Unit Leader
  • Situation Unit Leader
  • Logistics Section Chief
  • Others as necessary
Module 2: Establishing Command Direction

Module 2 of the IMT PAE focuses on the initial phase of a response, beginning with an in-briefing and continuing through preparation for a Command & General Staff Meeting.  Participants must manage and support current operations and also prepare for extended operations.  During this activity, the Unified Command will conduct the Initial Unified Command Meeting and first Objectives Meeting.

Recommended IMT participants for Module 2 of the IMT PAE include:

  • Incident Commander(s)/Unified Command
  • Planning Section Chief
  • Situation Unit Leader
  • Documentation Unit Leader
  • Others as necessary
Module 3: Responding to Command Direction

Module 3 of the IMT PAE focuses on the time following the Command & General Staff Meeting through Preparing for the Planning Meeting.  Participants will manage and support current operations while developing a plan for the next Operational Period.

Recommended IMT participants for Module 3 of the IMT PAE include:

  • Operations Section Chief
  • Planning Section Chief
  • Safety Officer
  • Logistics Section Chief
  • Resources Unit Leader
  • Situation Unit Leader
  • Documentation Unit Leader
  • Environmental Unit Leader (Optional)
  • Communications Unit Leader (Optional)
  • Liaison Officer (Optional)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief (Optional)
  • Technical Specialists (Optional)
Module 4: Assembling the Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Module 4 of the IMT PAE focuses on the time from the Planning Meeting through plan execution and evaluation.  Participants will manage and support current operations while assembling an IAP and gaining Command approval for the next Operational Period.

Recommended IMT participants for Module 4 of the IMT PAE include:

  • Operations Section Chief
  • Planning Section Chief
  • Safety Officer
  • Logistics Section Chief
  • Resources Unit Leader
  • Situation Unit Leader
  • Documentation Unit Leader
  • Environmental Unit Leader (Optional)
  • Communications Unit Leader (Optional)
  • Technical Specialists (Optional)