I have noticed recently that many CAP ES types refer to the establishment, and operation of "Remote Bases"
I believe that this terminology is incorrect. Please correct me if I am wrong, but under ICS isnt a base defined as
BASE:
The location at which primary logistics functions for an incident are coordinated
and administered. There is only one Base per incident. (Incident name or other
designator will be added to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post may be
collocated with the Base.
and since a "forward base" manages a geographic area wouldn't it be a "Division"
DIVISION:
Divisions are used to divide an incident into geographical areas of operation. A
Division is located within the ICS organization between the Branch and the Task
Force/Strike Team. (See Group.) Divisions are identified by alphabetic
characters for horizontal applications and, often, by floor numbers when used in
buildings.
If a search area is so large that multiple command posts need to be established wouldnt it be better to establish an "Area Command"
AREA COMMAND:
An organization established to: 1) oversee the management of multiple incidents
that are each being handled by an Incident Command System organization; or 2)
to oversee the management of a very large incident that has multiple Incident
Management Teams assigned to it. Area Command has the responsibility to set
overall strategy and priorities, allocate critical resources based on priorities,
ensure that incidents are properly managed, and ensure that objectives are met
and strategies followed.
I may be incorrect here. Please let me know your thoughts.
I haven't heard that exact term used, but it isn't unusual for us to have incidents where the ICP is some distance from the area being searched and the planes actually refuel and rest at a different airport. Often there is no CAP staff on-scene at those locations usually because they don't have the capabilities of supporting an ICP there.
I don't think Division would be the right term for that, but am not sure off the top of my head which would be correct.
I know believe it would clasify as a
helibase.
not sure what the fixed wing equivilent would be
Base is the primary operating location.
ICP is where the IC (and most of the command and general staff) works. It may be part of a base, but is may also be a separate location.
Camps are remote locations at which many activities can be conducted, including minor logistics support (fuel, food, etc).
Spike camps are overnight camps set up as needed and typically only used for one or two nights.
Staging area can be anywhere and do not need to be part of a camp or base.
Airbases and helibases are specialized facilities at which air resources are operated out of. Typically, these are established at airports.
Divisions and groups area operational designators. They are not facilities. You could have a SAR mission with a North Division, West Division, Left Hand Canyon Division, Water Rescue Group, Climbing Group etc. The divisions are defined by geographic boundaries and resources assigned to the division work only within those boundaries. Groups are defined by function and may work cross division boundaries.
During our SAR-EVAL on Saturday, we used a remote location to run ground operations out of. This is what we did.
Mission Base: This was where the ICP was as well as a Communications Unit.
Pawtuckaway Camp: Had the geographical location of the camp as the designator. We ran our ground operations out of the camp. We had our mobile command trailer set up, ground teams camped there all weekend (we did GT training all weekend) and were dispatched from that location. The GBD at the Mission Base relayed information and desires to another rated GBD at the camp to task, assign and dispatch ground teams.
Wow! Someone actually understands the proper use of ICS terminology and facilities!
For other explanations for airports during disasters and sites...
Not always too specific Draft FAA AC150/5200-31B
But the folks above have a good grasp of the terminology
I probably should be using the phrase "airbase" or "some airfield several hundred miles away that is going to launch two airplane" instead of "remote base". :D
I can understand the Command Post being the "HQ", but how about using the term ICP (incident command post) for the forward command?
I have heard that term lately taking online classes in woodland fire training.
There is no such thing in ICS terminology as "HQ" or "Comand Post" or "CP". arajca gave you the short form. Here is the long form - straight out of the FEMA ICS100a course. Only these terms are supposed to be used and they have a standard naming convention.
QuoteIncident Facilities Virtual Tour
The Incident Command Post, or ICP, is the location from which the Incident Commander oversees all incident operations. There is generally only one ICP for each incident or event, but it may change locations during the event. Every incident or event must have some form of an Incident Command Post. The ICP may be located in a vehicle, trailer, tent, or within a building. The ICP will be positioned outside of the present and potential hazard zone but close enough to the incident to maintain command. The ICP will be designated by the name of the incident, e.g., Trail Creek ICP.
Staging Areas are temporary locations at an incident where personnel and equipment are kept while waiting for tactical assignments. The resources in the Staging Area are always in available status. Staging Areas should be located close enough to the incident for a timely response, but far enough away to be out of the immediate impact zone. There may be more than one Staging Area at an incident. Staging Areas can be collocated with the ICP, Bases, Camps, Helibases, or Helispots.
A Base is the location from which primary logistics and administrative functions are coordinated and administered. The Base may be collocated with the Incident Command Post. There is only one Base per incident, and it is designated by the incident name. The Base is established and managed by the Logistics Section.
A Camp is the location where resources may be kept to support incident operations if a Base is not accessible to all resources. Camps are temporary locations within the general incident area, which are equipped and staffed to provide food, water, sleeping areas, and sanitary services. Camps are designated by geographic location or number. Multiple Camps may be used, but not all incidents will have Camps.
A Helibase is the location from which helicopter-centered air operations are conducted. Helibases are generally used on a more long-term basis and include such services as fueling and maintenance. The Helibase is usually designated by the name of the incident, e.g. Trail Creek Helibase.
Helispots are more temporary locations at the incident, where helicopters can safely land and take off. Multiple Helispots may be used.
The only "remote bases" that I am familiar with relate to the control of a "base" radio transceiver that is at a different location from yours. Usually the transceiver was located somewhere close to a good transmitting location (mountain top, roof top) while you were in the valley or basement. Hence you are operating that base remotely (used to be over a twisted pair from Ma Bell, but the technology has greatly superseded that!)
I would suggest that "staging area" would be an appropriate term for what we are discussing. We're putting resources there that are ready for assignment. There might be logistical support available to keep those resources "ready to go". This could easily include fuel for ground, air, and human resources (maybe canine too!)
They could be geographically located close enough to the incident for a timely response, but far enough away to be out of the immediate impact zone. (So if I have a statewide blizzard in Kansas, can I please stage in Hawaii? That's "timely" enough for me!) ;D
Missouri has been practicing with multiple staging areas around the state on state-wide exercises. Reduces travel time (read co$t) and can also get resources "on sight" quicker instead of deploying them all from a central location. Missouri covers almost 70,000 square miles (okay, Texas you can brag now...)
Jim
ICS Instructor
FEMA/ODP (Remote)
I just spent several hours searching on the internet and could not find a ICS term for a facility that is not located with the ICP and at which CAP aircraft are permanently based, aircrews flight plan, get briefed, take-off, fly the mission, then return for debriefing, refueling, and retasking.
I am sure someone here can find the definition of that facility....
I did find this - it might help.
http://www.nimsonline.org/nims_3_04/the_operations_section.htm
Staging area does come close but implies a temporary location.
http://www.nimsonline.org/nims_3_04/predesignated_facilities_and_areas.htm#mobilization
D. MOBILIZATION AND STAGING AREAS.
Staging areas are established for temporary location of available resources. Staging
Areas will be established by the Operations Section Chief to enable positioning of and accounting for resources not immediately assigned. A Staging Area can be any location in which personnel, supplies, and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting operational assignment. Staging Areas may include temporary feeding, fueling, and sanitation services. The Operations Section Chief assigns a manager for each Staging Area, who checks in all incoming resources, dispatches resources at the Operations Section Chief's request, and requests Logistics Section Support, as necessary, for resources located in the Staging Area. Personnel check in with the Resources Unit at the Staging Area, while supplies and equipment are checked in with the Supply Unit. If neither of these functions is activated, resources report to the Staging Area Manager for direction.
The short answer is that within ICS there is no designated facility for fixed wing air ops. These take place at "off-incident fixed wing bases." The Air Ops org chart in NIMS shows helibases, heliports ::) (helispots), fixed-wing bases and air fields.
Within the Air Operations Branch there is an Air Tactical Group and an Air Support Group:
c) Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) - Designate an air tactical group supervisor whenever both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft must operate simultaneously within the incident airspace. This individual coordinates all airborne activity with the assistance of a helicopter coordinator and a fixed-wing coordinator.
Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) The air support group:
• Establishes and operates bases for helicopter air assets.
• Maintains required liaison with off-incident fixed-wing bases.
• Is responsible for all timekeeping for aviation assets assigned to the incident.
Within the ASGS task book is this task:
Coordinate with Fixed-Base Operators (FBO) or airport managers.
• Notify of need for fuel, lube, maintenance services, operations, and crew staging.
• Notify of possible closure and/or controlled or restricted airspace.
• Give radio frequencies, if appropriate.
• Obtain space for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controllers.
• Arrange area of operation at airport for Temporary retardant base, staging area for mobilization and demobilization, aircraft parking (e.g., days off, maintenance).
• Notify of increase in air traffic.
Other tasks are what we would normally expect to be performed for fixed-wing ops.
Air Tanker/Fixed-Wing Coordinator (ATCO) - This ICS position is responsible for coordinating air tanker and fixed-wing operations over an incident and reports to the Air Tactical Group Supervisor.
The ICS personnel requirements matrix in the FOG shows the number of ATCOs "as required" and the number of "fixed-wing support leaders" as "one per airport."
Fixed wing base ops are tracked on the ICS-220 form, Air Operations Summary.
Within wildland fire, fixed-wing ops are normally air tankers and lead planes. However, nothing limits these positions to these types of aircraft. Under NIMS, air ops positions can be considered technical specialists.
Mike
So, what I'm seeing is that there isn't really an official term equivalent to "helibase" for fixed wing planes. I'm not entirely sure I like using "base" inside "helibase" either since that could cause confusion with the main Base for the incident. "Fixed-Wing Base" has the same issue. "Camp" doesn't necessarily work either since in the CAP situations we're talking about there probably isn't going to be any CAP staff at that site.
So, maybe we should try to come up with our own term and then get it included in the NIMS system?
There may be a disconnect between ICS and CAP. See Para 1-9, CAPR 100-3, for the "word" on the use of functional designators vs. AF Approved Vocie Call Signs. Too long to post here.