Incident leaders apply command presence, decision-making strategies, and leadership principles to guide Incident Management Teams during time-sensitive and rapidly evolving Type 3 incident environments.
Course overview
Incident Leadership prepares Incident Management Team personnel to apply advanced leadership practices in dynamic incident environments. Building on Operational Leadership, the course focuses on command presence, leader’s intent, communication under pressure, team performance, and managing operational tempo during complex incidents. Participants strengthen their ability to lead rapidly assembled teams and support coordinated response operations through structured leadership approaches.
Who is this course for?
- Incident Commanders responsible for directing incident operations.
- Operations Section Chiefs supporting tactical execution.
- Division and Group Supervisors managing assigned resources.
- Incident Management Team personnel preparing for expanded leadership responsibilities during complex incidents.
Course objectives
- Apply leadership principles within incident management environments.
- Demonstrate command presence and establish a positive command climate.
- Explain the role of leader’s intent in guiding operational decision-making.
- Apply communication strategies that support coordination under time constraints.
- Identify human performance factors influencing team effectiveness.
- Apply strategies for building and managing incident response teams.
- Describe risk management and resiliency considerations during incident operations.
- Explain leadership approaches for managing changes in operational tempo.
- Apply performance assessment strategies to support continuous improvement during incidents.
Delivery format
Activities may include instructor-led training supported by facilitated discussion, leadership scenario exercises, team-based decision-making activities, performance assessment exercises, and asynchronous learning components.
Duration
4–5 days (32–40 hours)
Recommended prerequisites
Successful completion of ICS-300
Completion of position-specific ICS training
Successful completion of Operational Leadership (or equivalent L-380-level leadership training)
Comparable courses
NWCG L-381
Next Steps
Request Course Information on our Contact Page