FEMA FEMA Incident Command System 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum recommended span of control for a supervisor in the Incident Command System (ICS)?
- 3 to 7 subordinates (Correct answer)
- 5 to 10 subordinates
- 10 to 15 subordinates
- 2 to 4 subordinates
Correct answer: 3 to 7 subordinates
ICS recommends a span of control between 3 and 7 subordinates, with 5 being the optimal number to maintain effective supervision.
Question 2: In ICS, which Section is responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating operational information?
- Planning Section (Correct answer)
- Operations Section
- Logistics Section
- Finance/Administration Section
Correct answer: Planning Section
The Planning Section is responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating tactical information about the incident.
Question 3: Under ICS, what document outlines the incident objectives, tactics, and support needed for an operational period?
- Incident Action Plan (Correct answer)
- National Response Framework
- Emergency Operations Plan
- Incident Briefing Form
Correct answer: Incident Action Plan
The Incident Action Plan (IAP) specifies objectives, strategies, tactics, and resource assignments for each operational period.
Question 4: Which ICS principle ensures that every individual reports to only one supervisor?
- Unity of Command (Correct answer)
- Chain of Command
- Unified Command
- Modular Organization
Correct answer: Unity of Command
Unity of Command means each person reports to only one designated supervisor, eliminating conflicting orders.
Question 5: In a Unified Command structure, who is responsible for determining overall incident objectives?
- All agencies with jurisdiction, acting together (Correct answer)
- The lead federal agency representative
- FEMA Regional Administrator
- The Operations Section Chief
Correct answer: All agencies with jurisdiction, acting together
In Unified Command, all agencies with jurisdictional authority or functional responsibility collaborate to establish shared incident objectives.
Question 6: What ICS form is used as the primary resource-tracking document listing resources checked in at an incident?
- ICS 211 - Check-In/Check-Out List (Correct answer)
- ICS 201 - Incident Briefing
- ICS 204 - Assignment List
- ICS 209 - Incident Status Summary
Correct answer: ICS 211 - Check-In/Check-Out List
ICS Form 211, the Check-In/Check-Out List, tracks all resources arriving at and departing from an incident.
What is the maximum recommended span of control for a supervisor in the Incident Command System (ICS)?