ID
2-509-1032
Name
Incident Commander (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
2.0
Updated
6/14/2021 11:03:21 AM
Original Release
10/01/2006
Last Major Release
06/14/2021
NQS Position
Resource Category
Incident Management
Primary Core Capability
Operational Coordination
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Incident Commander (IC) is responsible for the overall management of the incident and determines which Command and General Staff positions to staff in order to maintain a manageable span of control and ensure appropriate attention to the necessary incident management functions.
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Incident Management Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Coordinates operations at the state, local, tribal, and territorial level or across jurisdictions
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Works as a member of a Unified Command, when established 2. Approves all plans and operations outlined in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) 3. Coordinates operations at the state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) levels or across jurisdictions 4. Supervises Command and General Staff 5. Indirectly supervises all other incident personnel through subordinate Incident Command System (ICS) management positions (command staff, section chiefs, branch directors, division/group supervisors, unit leaders and strike team/task force leaders)
Type 4The IC has overall leadership and management responsibility for the incident—which may require numerous personnel and resources. The IC: 1. Develops and implements a transition plan based on escalating incident complexity 2. Delegates various management tasks by assigning objectives to Command and General Staff personnel 3. Provides overall leadership to all assigned incident personnel
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Type 4Not Specified
Training1. Identified equivalent trainings should meet or exceed course learning objectives. 2. The NIMS Training Program defines a national baseline to guide and promote NIMS training. It provides recommendations to assist Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in developing their own training plans, tailored to their specific needs.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. E/L 0950: National Incident Management System Incident Command System All-Hazards Incident Commander Course, or equivalent 2. United States Fire Administration (USFA) O-0305: Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, or equivalent
Type 4Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 4. ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents 5. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 6. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. E/G/L 0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book (PTB) for the NIMS Type 1 Incident Commander, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 2 IC
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 2 Incident Commander, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 3 IC
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 3 Incident Commander, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 4 IC 3. Satisfactory performance as a task force leader or strike team leader, or equivalent supervisory experience
Type 4Satisfactory performance as a single resource boss or leader, or equivalent supervisory experience
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the NQS defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NQS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Light
CurrencyA higher position is one for which this position is a prerequisite.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Functions in this position or a higher position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every three years
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Type 4Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment.
Requestor specifies any additional qualifications necessary, based on incident complexity and needs.
1404
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Incident Management Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Operations Section Chief
FEMA, NIMS 509: Planning Section Chief
FEMA, NIMS 509: Logistics Section Chief
FEMA, NIMS 509: Finance/Administration Section Chief
FEMA, National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book for Incident Commander, latest edition adopted
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the NQS, November 2017
FEMA, NIMS Training Program, May 2020
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Position Catalog, latest edition published
United States Fire Administration (USFA), O-0305: All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, latest edition published
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
2.0 6/14/2021 11:03:21 AM PDF
1.5 11/7/2019 4:13:24 PM PDF
1.4 1/4/2019 2:18:00 PM PDF
1.3 9/28/2018 5:17:04 PM PDF
1.2 11/29/2017 1:48:23 PM PDF
1.1 4/8/2014 7:01:08 PM Unavailable
1.0 1/22/2014 4:07:44 PM Unavailable