ID
2-509-1036
Name
Planning Section Chief (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
2.0
Updated
6/14/2021 11:08:31 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 Planning Section Chief oversees incident-related data gathering and analysis regarding incident operations and assigned resources, facilitates incident action planning meetings and prepares the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for each operational period.
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: 1. Develops and implements a transition plan based on escalating incident complexity 2. Develops long-term plans and supervises advanced planning efforts as the incident requires
Type 3The Planning Section Chief: 1. Establishes or transitions into the Planning Section 2. Supervises and configures section with units and single resources as necessary 3. Submits incident status reports 4. Facilitates the planning process 5. Manages the planning cycle 6. Manages the creation of the demobilization plan 7. Prepares, collects, evaluates and disseminates incident information and uses it to develop the IAP 8. Facilitates incident information to maintain situational awareness (current and future) 9. Provides periodic predictions on incident potential and incident courses of action
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. 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 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-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. E/G/L 0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface 8. E/L 0962: National Incident Management System Incident Command System All-Hazards Planning Section Chief Course, or equivalent 9. United States Fire Administration (USFA) O-0305: Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, 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 NIMS Type 1 Planning Section Chief, or equivalent 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 for 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 within the Planning Section
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
CurrencyA higher position is one for which this position is a prerequisite.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Functions in this position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every five years
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Functions in this position or a higher position during a qualifying 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
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.
14101410
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, 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 11:08:31 AM PDF
1.6 11/7/2019 4:18:49 PM PDF
1.5 1/4/2019 4:17:26 PM PDF
1.4 9/28/2018 5:16:37 PM PDF
1.3 12/8/2017 11:46:05 AM PDF
1.2 11/29/2017 1:57:57 PM PDF
1.1 4/8/2014 7:04:28 PM Unavailable
1.0 1/22/2014 4:10:51 PM Unavailable