Condolences Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew

On Sunday, June 30, 2013, the emergency response community lost 19 firefighters as they battled the Yarnell Hill fire in Arizona. All of the deceased were members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew. The entire staff of EMSI is deeply saddened by this loss and we offer our thoughts …

EMSI Develops and Presents Aerial Observer Training

The Federal Register of August 31, 2009* delivered the final requirements for vessel and facility spill removal equipment and planning.  These long awaited changes included requirements for “trained observation personnel to support oil spill removal operations, commencing upon initial assessment, and capable of coordinating on-scene cleanup operations, including dispersant and …

EMSI Assists the Energy Industry in Establishing an ICS Position Qualification Standard

Several global energy companies with operations around the world have begun implementing a Position Qualification Standard (PQS) which establishes standardized training and competency-based evaluation of Incident Command System (ICS) positions.  The new standard establishes competencies that must be demonstrated on incidents, events or exercises before an individual can be deemed …

Chevron Corporation Establishes ICS Position Qualification Standard

The Chevron Corporation has begun implementing a Position Qualification Standard (PQS) which establishes standardized training and competency based evaluation of Incident Command System (ICS) positions.  The standard establishes competencies that must be demonstrated on incidents, events or exercises before an individual can be deemed qualified.  Each of these competencies and …

Time to Smell the Roses!

Hello to all of our colleagues and friends who have contributed to both Pat’s and my professional careers.  You may have noticed that we are not as active in EMSI as in the past.  Pat and I have decided to focus our future efforts in another direction.  I have personally …

Responsibility for the Selection and Development of Incident Strategies: Command or Operations?

Incidents using the Incident Command System require a set of objectives, a strategy or strategies to accomplish these objectives and a series of tactical work assignments directing resources to accomplish these strategies.  It is well understood that the Incident Commander or Unified Command creates and establishes Incident Objectives.  It is …

Types of Command

The Incident Commander (IC) has overall authority and responsibility for managing all operations at the incident site.  This individual(s) is/are responsible for all incident activities including the development of the objectives and strategies and the ordering and release of resources; therefore, it is essential that the selection of Incident Command …

A Tribute to an American Hero

EMSI recently had the pleasure of presenting an ICS-341, Incident Response Planning course, for USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach at Fort McArthur. Seventeen members of USCG active duty and auxiliary attended the course taught September 20-24, 2010. This course teaches skills needed to implement the Incident Command System planning process …