Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: ICS • Special Operations • Hostage Negotiation

Incident Command

Term from Police Services industry explained for recruiters

Incident Command is a standardized approach to managing emergency situations used by police departments, fire services, and other emergency responders. It's like having a clear playbook for handling various situations, from small incidents to large-scale emergencies. This system helps organize who's in charge, how teams communicate, and what each person's role is during an emergency. Think of it as a management structure that kicks in when there's an emergency, ensuring everyone knows their job and works together effectively. Other terms you might see include "ICS" (Incident Command System) or "Emergency Scene Management."

Examples in Resumes

Served as Incident Command leader during major public events and emergency situations

Trained junior officers in Incident Command System protocols and procedures

Coordinated multiple agencies using ICS during large-scale emergency response

Typical job title: "Incident Commanders"

Also try searching for:

Police Sergeant Police Lieutenant Emergency Response Commander Incident Commander Emergency Services Coordinator Public Safety Officer Crisis Response Leader

Where to Find Incident Commanders

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a complex incident where you had to coordinate multiple agencies? What challenges did you face and how did you handle them?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience managing large-scale operations, ability to coordinate different agencies, clear communication skills, and problem-solving under pressure. They should mention specific examples of maintaining chain of command and resolving inter-agency conflicts.

Q: How do you handle resource allocation during a major incident with limited resources?

Expected Answer: Strong candidates should discuss prioritization strategies, risk assessment methods, and examples of making tough decisions about resource deployment. They should also mention maintaining communication with all stakeholders about resource limitations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take when establishing incident command at a scene?

Expected Answer: Candidate should describe the basic steps: assessing the situation, establishing command post, assigning roles, setting up communication channels, and coordinating initial response teams.

Q: How do you ensure effective communication between different teams during an incident?

Expected Answer: Look for understanding of communication protocols, use of proper channels, importance of clear and concise messages, and methods for confirming that information is received and understood.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of the Incident Command System?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic structure: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration, in simple terms with basic understanding of each role.

Q: What is the chain of command in Incident Command and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of reporting structure, explain why clear lines of authority are crucial, and know basic protocols for following command decisions.