ID
2-509-1036
Name
Planning Section Chief (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
1.6
Updated
11/7/2019 4:18:49 PM
Original Release
10/01/2006
Last Major Release
11/07/2019
Resource Category
Incident Management
Primary Core Capability
Planning
Secondary Core Capability
Operational Coordination
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Planning Section Chief (PSC) manages all aspects of the Planning Section
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 planning efforts across multiple jurisdictions
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Develops and implements a transition plan based on escalating incident complexity
Type 3The Planning Section Chief: 1. Manages all aspects of the Planning Section 2. Manages the preparation of strategies and plans for the incident and submits incident status reports 3. Prepares, collects, evaluates, disseminates, and uses incident information to develop the Incident Action Plan (IAP) 4. Facilitates incident information to maintain situational awareness (current and future) 5. Provides periodic predictions on incident potential and incident course of actions 6. Coordinates planning efforts at the local level 7. Establishes or transitions into the Planning Section 8. Supervises and configures section with units and single resources as necessary
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Training1. Identified equivalent trainings should meet or exceed course learning objectives. 2. For Type 2, recommend National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-420: Command and General Staff training or an equivalent team training. 3. For Type 1, recommend NWCG S-520: Advanced Incident Management training or equivalent team training.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Completion 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-703: National Incident Management System Resource Management 7. IS-706: National Incident Management System Intrastate Mutual Aid – An Introduction 8. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 9. IS-2900: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview 10. E/L 0962: National Incident Management System Incident Command System All-Hazards Planning Section Chief Course, or equivalent 11. E/G/L 0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface 12. United States Fire Administration (USFA) 0305: Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team Course, or equivalent
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 National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 1 Planning Section Chief, or equivalent Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 2 Planning Section Chief
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 2 Planning Section Chief, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Certification as a NIMS typed position within the Planning Section 3. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 3 Planning Section Chief
Type 31. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 3 Planning Section Chief, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Experience in incident management in a subordinate position
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 3Light
CurrencyNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every five years
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Requestor specifies any additional qualifications necessary based on incident complexity and needs
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
1250
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Incident Management Team
FEMA, National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book for Planning Section Chief, latest edition adopted
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the NQS, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016