NCC-eLearning

An immediate review or analysis evaluation following an incident or functional exercise to determine the goals for the Unified Command Team to meet in order to improve their operation plan.

In ICS, Area Command is used when there is a number of incidents generally in the same area and often of the same kind. Examples include two or more hazardous materials spills, fires, etc. It is usually these kinds of incidents that may be vying for the same resources.  An organisation that oversees the management of multiple incidents or oversees the management of a very large or evolving situation with multiple ICS organisations. See Unified Area Command.

An entity that has the authority and responsibility for developing, implementing, maintaining, and overseeing the qualification process within its organisation or jurisdiction. This may be a state or Federal agency, training commission, NGO, private sector company, or a tribal or local agency such as a police, fire, or public works department. In some cases, the AHJ may provide support to multiple disciplines that collaborate as a part of a team (e.g. an IMT).

The term "as needed" refers to resources, personnel, or actions that are mobilised or utilised based on the specific requirements of an incident, event, or situation. The "as needed" approach is flexible and allows for the adaptation of response efforts to the evolving demands of a disaster or emergency.

Is electronic media possessing both a sound and a visual component, such as slide-tape presentations, films, television programs, corporate conferencing, church services, and live theatre productions. Computer-based audiovisual equipment is often used in education, with many schools and universities installing projection equipment and using interactive whiteboard technology.

In ICS, the structures are built from the first arriving resource that can then increase in size as the incident/event becomes more complex requiring more resources and more types of resources. It is the piecing together of systems to give rise to more complex systems, thus making the original systems sub-systems of the emergent system. 

A method focused on exposing participants to a cycle of training and exercises that escalates in complexity, with each exercise designed to build upon the last, in terms of scale and subject matter. For example, a building-block series of exercises may include a seminar, which leads to a tabletop exercise (TTX), which leads to a full-scale exercise (FSE). 

The C&O meeting marks the formal beginning of the exercise planning process.

Contains detailed scenario and logistics information and a communications plan which is meant for designated controllers and evaluators only.

See Chief Executive Officer

Refers to a normal AAR but is done in a much timelier manner. The processes followed in an AAR are simplified and sped up in order to get the key information out of the event.

A CEO is the highest-ranking executive in a company. A CEO's primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, driving the workforce and resources of a company toward strategic goals, and acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations. The chief executive officer serves as the public face of the company in many cases.

This is a technique used to follow the flow of incident from the beginning to the end. It is used to help participants recall what had happen and when it happened.

A civil unrest activity such as a demonstration, riot, or strike that disrupts a community and requires intervention to maintain public safety.

Heads the Communications Unit and is responsible for integrating communications and ensuring that operations are supported by communications. The COML must understand ICS and local response systems to support the efforts of Incident personnel.

The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.

A political entity that has the authority to adopt and enforce laws and ordinances for the area under its jurisdiction. In most cases, the community is an incorporated town, city, township, village, or unincorporated area of a county; however, each State defines its own political subdivisions and forms of government.

A fundamental principle of the ICS and the NIMS. It refers to the effective use, tracking, allocation, and deployment of resources, personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and funding throughout an incident’s lifecycle.

The framework that allows for coordination and communication between controllers at multiple sites.

A critical process designed to ensure that essential functions of an organisation can continue during and after a disruption or disaster. In the context of emergency management, COOP is focused on maintaining or quickly resuming critical services and operations in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, pandemic, or other catastrophic events. COOP ensures that an organisation has pre-established procedures, resources, and personnel in place to continue performing its vital functions regardless of the disaster's impact on its normal operations. This includes maintaining communication, securing resources, and protecting critical infrastructure.

An agency supplying assistance other than direct operational or support functions or resources to the incident management effort.

To exchange information systematically among principals who have or may have a need to know certain information to carry out specific incident management responsibilities.

The control portion of the C/E handbook, provides guidelines for control and simulation support and establishes a management structure for the activities

Providing documentation that identifies personnel and authenticates and verifies their qualification for a particular position.

A team trained to assist in the healing process of responders and public following a traumatic event or incident. 

Assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the country that the incapacitation or destruction of such assets, systems, or networks would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.

Department-level ECCs

A statement that the agency executive delegating authority and assigning responsibility provides to the IC or UC. The delegation of authority can include priorities, expectations, constraints, and other considerations or guidelines, as needed.

To use something or someone, especially in order to achieve a particular effect.

Deployment refers to the organised assignment and movement of resources, such as personnel, equipment, and supplies, to respond to an incident or disaster. Deployment is a critical phase of the emergency response process, ensuring resources are positioned where they are needed to achieve incident objectives.

A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, can be delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or to perform a specific task. In some cases a deputy can act as relief for a superior, and therefore must be fully qualified in the position. Deputies generally can be assigned to the IC, General Staff, and Branch Directors.

An occurrence of a natural catastrophe, technological accident, or human-caused event that has resulted in severe property damage, deaths, and/or multiple injuries.

The ordered movement of a resource or resources to an assigned operational mission, or an administrative move from one location to another.

Divisional Group Supervisor - The ICS title for individuals responsible for a Division or Group.

Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau

A type of operations-based exercise that is a coordinated, supervised activity usually employed to test a single specific operation or function in a single agency. Drills are commonly used to provide training on new equipment, develop or test new policies or procedures, or practice and maintain current skills.

Disaster Risk Management System

Is a document that provides a consistent tool to guide exercise observation and data collection which is aligned to exercise objectives and core capabilities, EEGs list capability targets and critical tasks.

An Emergency Function refers to a specific area of responsibility or operational function within an emergency management structure. Emergency Functions are part of the broader framework used by agencies and organisations involved in disaster response to ensure effective coordination and resource management across different sectors.

A congressionally ratified agreement that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster-affected state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues up front: liability and reimbursement.

Any incident, whether natural, technological, or human-caused, that necessitates responsive action to protect life or property.

A plan for responding to a variety of potential hazards.

Is the comprehensive plan exercise evaluators will use to observe, collect data, and evaluate participant/player performance.

See Planned Event.

A pre-staging and dispersal of exercise materials. Exercise setup includes registration materials, documentation, signage, and other equipment, as appropriate.

A summary of the planned exercise, including the scope, objectives, and core capabilities to be validated. The plan is published and distributed to all participating organisations.

A member of the General Staff who monitors costs related to the incident and provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analyses.

This is a person who plans, guides and manages a group event to meet its goals. A facilitator makes an action or a process easy or easier.

Responsible for determining feeding requirements at all incident facilities and for menu planning, determining cooking facilities required, food preparation, serving, providing potable water, and general maintenance of the food service areas

A single- or multi-agency operations-based exercise designed to evaluate capabilities and multiple functions using a simulated response.  Characteristics of a functional exercise include simulated deployment of resources and personnel, rapid problem solving, and a highly stressful environment.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is a United States federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security. Its primary mission is to help people and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and emergencies.

The ICS Section responsible for all administrative and financial considerations surrounding an incident.

See Emergency Management/Response Personnel.

Final forum for reviewing exercise processes and procedures

A group of incident management personnel organised according to function and reporting to the IC. The General Staff normally consists of the Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief. An Intelligence/Investigations Chief may be established, if required, to meet incident management needs.

A group of incident management personnel organised according to function and reporting to the IC. The General Staff normally consists of the Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief. An Intelligence/Investigations Chief may be established, if required, to meet incident management needs.

is a conceptualised framework that provides the ability to capture and analyse spatial and geographic data. GIS applications (or GIS apps) are computer-based tools that allow the user to create interactive queries (user-created searches), store and edit spatial and non-spatial data, analyse spatial information output, and visually share the results of these operations by presenting them as maps.

A “Go” Kit is a briefcase, satchel or box that contains information and supplies that the owner is certain to need in an emergency.  “Go” Kits should be able to self-sustain a person / operation for 72 hours.

General statement that indicates the intended solution to an identified problem.

An organisational subdivision established to divide the incident management structure into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within a single geographic area. See also Division.

Responsible for transporting personnel, supplies, food, and equipment; fueling, servicing, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and other ground support equipment; supporting out-of-service resources; and developing and implementing the Incident Transportation Plan.

Something that is potentially dangerous or harmful, often the root cause of an unwanted outcome.

Any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards. The term is sometimes used in a stricter sense to mean cost-effective measures to reduce the potential for damage to a facility or facilities from a disaster or incident.

Humanitarian Country Team

Hazards that rise from deliberate, intentional human actions to threaten or harm the well-being of others.  Examples include terrorist acts, or sabotage.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Internally Displaced Persons

A rostered group of ICS-qualified personnel consisting of an IC, Command and General Staff, and personnel assigned to other key ICS positions.

A location where personnel coordinate and administer logistics functions for an incident. There is typically only one base per incident. (An incident name or other designator is added to the term Base.) The ICP may be co-located with the Incident Base.

The ICS organisational element responsible for overall management of the incident and consisting of the IC or UC any additional Command Staff activated.

Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area and assigned to a single IC or UC.

Are physical or virtual spaces established to support the management and operations of an incident. These facilities are integral to ICS, ensuring resources, communication, and logistics are effectively coordinated.

Prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery activities that occur in advance of an incident, during an incident, and/or following an incident.

Communications facilitated through the development and use of a common communications plan.

For each task, the IP lists the corrective actions that will be taken, the responsible party or agency, and the expected completion date.  The IP is included at the end of the After-Action Report.  See After-Action Report/Improvement Plan.

For each task, the IP lists the corrective actions that will be taken, the responsible party or agency, and the expected completion date.  The IP is included at the end of the After-Action Report.  See After-Action Report/Improvement Plan.

IPM is the formal beginning of the exercise development phase Integrated Communications

Communications facilitated through the development and use of a common communications plan.

Incident Support Module

An oral or written plan containing the objectives established by the IC or UC and addressing tactics and support activities for the planned operational period, generally 12 to 24 hours.

Refers to the use of technology for managing and processing information, which is essential for effective response, recovery, and preparedness efforts during disasters and emergencies.

A facility established to coordinate critical emergency information, crisis communications, and public affairs functions.  The JIC is the central point of contact for all news media. The PIO may activate the JIC to better manage external communication. 

Jurisdiction has two definitions depending on the context:

1. A range or sphere of authority. Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal responsibilities and authority. Jurisdictional authority at an incident can be political or geographical (e.g., local, state, tribal, territorial, and Federal boundary lines) and/or functional (e.g., law enforcement, public health).
   
   
2. A political subdivision (e.g., municipality, county, parish, state, Federal) with the responsibility for ensuring public safety, health, and welfare within its legal authorities and geographic boundaries.

Key event discussions focus on the most important moments which directly links to the incident. Focusing on key events is a good technique especially when time is limited.

As applied to incident resources, a class or group of items or people of the same nature or character or classified together because they have traits in common.

The ICS title for an individual who is responsible for supervision of a unit, strike team, resource team, or task force.

These are fundamental guidelines or beliefs that shape how leaders guide, influence, and motivate teams. In emergency management, leadership principles are crucial for ensuring effective disaster response and recovery. These principles help leaders inspire confidence, maintain clear communication, and foster collaboration in high-pressure situations.

A form of communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation.

A member of the ICS Command Staff responsible for coordinating with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies or organisations.

The process and procedure for providing resources and other services to support incident management.

The ICS Section responsible for providing facilities, services, and material support for the incident.

A member of the General Staff who provides resources and needed services to support the achievement of the incident objectives.

A concept in the ICS and emergency management that determines the number of individuals or units that a supervisor or leader can effectively manage. It is a key principle for maintaining effective communication, coordination, and decision-making during an incident. The span of control is about ensuring that the leadership structure is efficient and not overloaded, preventing confusion or breakdowns in response operations. By maintaining a manageable span of control, leaders can effectively oversee and support their teams, ensuring that each team member or unit receives adequate attention, guidance, and resources.

In an incident, all activities are directed to accomplish defined objectives. A management approach, fundamental to NIMS, that involves:

1. establishing objectives, e.g., specific, measurable and realistic outcomes to be achieved;
   
   
2. identifying strategies, tactics, and tasks to achieve the objectives;
   
   
3. performing the tactics and tasks and measuring and documenting results in achieving the objectives; and
   
   
4. taking corrective action to modify strategies, tactics, and/or performance to achieve the objectives.

The individual within an ICS organisational unit assigned specific managerial responsibilities (e.g., Staging Area Manager or Camp Manager).

The title of Managing Director typically refers to a high-level executive responsible for overseeing and directing the operations, strategy, and performance of an organisation or a specific department.

Primarily responsible for developing the Medical Plan, obtaining medical aid and transportation for injured or ill incident personnel, and preparing reports and records. The Medical Unit may also assist Operations in supplying medical care and assistance to civilian casualties at the incident.

One of five areas – referred to as the 5R’s (Review and Analysis, Risk Reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery).

The capabilities necessary to reduce the loss of life and property from natural and/or manmade disasters by lessening the impacts of disasters.

Ministry of Agriculture

To assemble, prepare and/or put into active service. The processes and procedures for activating, assembling, and transporting resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident.

The ability to move freely or be easily moved

Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Ministry of Defense

Building blocks that are put in place as needed based on an incidents size, complexity and hazards.

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

Ministry of Mines and Petroleum

Ministry of Peace

Ministry of Revenue

Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Ministry of Transportation

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Ministry of Urban Development and Construction

Ministry of Women Children and Youth

Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity

Provide additional opportunities to engage elected and appointed officials and to settle logistical and organisational issues that may arise during exercise planning.

It is a chronological listing that supplements the exercise scenario with event synopses, expected participant responses, objectives and core capabilities to be addressed, responsible personnel, and specific injects and methods used to provide them.

An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction to manage certain aspects of an incident. In the ICS, these incidents are managed under UC.

Establish the legal basis for two or more entities to share resources.

Hazard related to weather patterns and/or physical characteristics of an area.  Often natural hazards occur repeatedly in the same geographical locations.

National Disaster Risk Management

National Disaster Risk Management Commission

National Disaster Risk Management System

The activation level that describes routine monitoring of jurisdictional situation (no event or incident anticipated).

National Wildfire Coordinating Group was formed in the United States of America as a result of the aftermath of a major wildfire season in 1970. It provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.

Specific and identifiable actions carried out during an operation.

United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Government of Ethiopia

The ICS title for a person responsible for one of the Command Staff positions of Safety, Liaison, and Public Information.

The time scheduled for executing a given set of operation actions, as specified in the IAP. Operational periods can be of various lengths, but are typically 12 to 24 hours.

This a key part of the ICS and is conducted at the start of each new operational period during an incident or disaster response. It serves as a structured opportunity to communicate critical information to all responding personnel, ensuring everyone is aligned with the objectives, tasks, and priorities for the upcoming operational period.

Often visualised as the “Planning P”, is a systematic process used in incident management to guide planning and decision-making during each operational period. It is a key concept in the ICS, widely used by emergency management organisations.

The desired end-state for the operations.

The ICS Section responsible for all tactical incident operations and implementation of the Incident Action Plan.

A member of the General Staff who establishes the tactics to meet the incident objectives and directs all operational resources.

Generally, this refers to individuals or organisations that have a consistent, ongoing role within a specific emergency management team, group, or organisational structure. These members are not temporary or on-call, but rather are integral to the functioning of a response or recovery effort and are expected to maintain active, continuous involvement. Permanent membership is typically part of a broader strategy to maintain continuity and ensure the availability of experienced individuals during all phases of an incident.

A meeting held, as needed, before and throughout an incident to select specific strategies and tactics for incident control operations and for service and support planning.

A group of individuals with a variety of expertise and perspectives planning for all hazards.

A common emergency management image that illustrates the model incident management process for one operational period.

It is an alternative to the standard After Action, with a focus on safety in the learning environment. Information that pertains to an AAR in the standard format is still relevant and applicable.

A person or department that can be approached for information or assistance on a specific topic.

See Multiagency Coordination (MAC) Group definition. 

The minimum criteria necessary for individuals to fill a specific position.

A continuous cycle of planning, organising, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination during incident response. Within the NIMS, preparedness focuses on the following elements: planning, procedures and protocols, training and exercises, personnel qualification and certification, and equipment certification. 

The capabilities necessary to secure the homeland against acts of terrorism and manmade or natural disasters.

A set of established guidelines for actions (designated by individuals, teams, functions, or capabilities) under various specified conditions.

A message in the public interest disseminated without charge, with the objective of raising awareness of, and changing public attitudes and behavior towards, a social issue.

Are a key component of the qualification process for specified ICS positions. The PTB provides an observable, measurable, and standardised means to evaluate and document trainee proficiency. Evaluation Records and PTB Verification/Certifications are completed in hard copy or electronically provided all documentation is available to the Evaluator.

A document detailing and tracking each update or change to the plan to enhance accountability and transparency.  The document is usually in table format, and contains at a minimum a change number, the date of the change, and the name of the person who made the change.

A plan developed to restore an affected area or community.

Mechanism used to recoup funds expended for incident-specific activities.

The Resource Unit Leader role plays a critical part of the Planning Section in the ICS structure. The RESL is responsible for tracking and managing resources assigned to an incident.

See Strike Team.

A coordination entity that operates at a high level during complex or large-scale incidents. It focuses on providing strategic guidance, resource prioritisation, and policy direction to ensure an effective response across jurisdictions and agencies.

A common procedure implemented in the event of a chemical or radioactive release.  People and response personnel take immediate shelter, sealing up windows and doors, and turning off air ducts. 

It is an effective and flexible tool for control of emergency management exercises. It allows exercise participants to interact, via simulation, with a wide variety of nonplaying organisations and officials.

An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew/team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an incident.

The primary reference material provided to all the participants. It is a textual background for the facilitated exercise and discussion.

a comprehensive and visual representation of the current situation during an emergency or disaster. It integrates information from various sources and presents it in a way that enables decision-makers, responders, and agencies to quickly understand the state of the incident, the resources available, and the immediate needs.

Confirmed or verified information regarding the specific details relating to an incident.

This refers to the understanding and interpretation of information about an incident or event in real-time, which allows responders and decision-makers to make informed, effective decisions. In the context of emergency management, situational awareness is crucial for coordinating responses, allocating resources, and ensuring the safety of responders and the public.

SSpecific: Define clear tasks

MMeasurable: Ensure success can be tracked

AAchievable: Ensure the objective can be realistically accomplished with available resources

RRelevant: Ensure the task is directly related to the critical needs of the situation

TTime-bound: Set a clear deadline

SMART: Refers to a goal-setting framework used to ensure that objectives are clear, achievable, and measurable during an incident or project.

A person who has accumulated great knowledge in a particular field or topic and this level of knowledge is demonstrated by the person's degree, and/or through years of professional experience with the subject.

A standard indication or outline of policy.

The number of subordinates for which a supervisor is responsible, usually expressed as the ratio of supervisors to individuals.

This format is used in order to magnify very specific aspects that are under review.

A population whose members may have additional needs before, during, and after an incident in functional areas, including but not limited to: maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision, and medical care. Individuals in need of additional response assistance may include those who have disabilities, who are from diverse cultures, who have limited English proficiency, who are non-English-speaking, or who are transportation disadvantaged.

A set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel, common communications, and a leader. In the law enforcement community, strike teams are sometimes referred to as resource teams.

A temporary location for available resources in which personnel, supplies, and equipment await operational assignment.

Start of the exercise

Reports, such as spot reports, that include vital and/or time-sensitive information. Status reports are typically function-specific, less formal than situation reports, and are not always issued on a specific schedule.

Employs a three-dimensional terrain model made from sand and various props to provide a visual representation of the situation described in the tactical decisions game.

Reports, such as spot reports, that include vital and/or time-sensitive information. Status reports are typically function-specific, less formal than situation reports, and are not always issued on a specific schedule.

The ICS title for an individual responsible for a Division or Group.

The SVBD is responsible for managing all service activities at the incident. The SVBD also supervises operations of the Communications, Medical and Food Unit Leaders.

Any combination of processes, facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications integrated for a specific purpose.

The deployment and directing of resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives.

This provides a simple, adaptable and effective method of repeatedly challenging a responder with tactical solutions that include limitations of time and information.

A list of staff, their phone numbers, and their role in the ICS (if applicable).  The first person on the list (usually the IC) calls his or her pre-assigned staff members to relay what is and is not known and what steps should be taken.  These members continue passing along the IC’s message to their pre-assigned contacts until everyone has been contacted.

It is a document that establishes overall exercise program priorities and outlines the schedule of training and exercise activities designed to address priorities and validate core capabilities.

The TEPW purpose is to engage elected and appointed officials in identifying exercise program priorities and planning a schedule of training and exercise events to meet those priorities.

Any combination of resources of different kinds and/or types assembled to support a specific mission or operational need.

The Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment process helps communities strategically analyse threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to national security. By identifying and prioritising those threats through the THIRA process, a community can then make informed decisions in regards to their preparedness.

A natural or manmade occurrence, an individual, an entity, or an action having or indicating the potential to harm life, information, operations, the environment, and/or property.

In the context of emergency management, a job title typically refers to a specific role within the ICS or the broader organisational structure. These titles represent various positions, each with a defined set of responsibilities during disaster response and recovery efforts.

The Training Specialist can be the individual in the Home Unit/Agency who is responsible for training and qualifications, or a person who holds certification as a training specialist on an incident.

An autocratic and hierarchical style of decision making, organisational change and leadership, in which strategies or plans are first conceived by one or a few top managers, and then disseminated (cascaded) further down the organisational structure. The lower levels in the hierarchy are, to a greater or lesser extent, bound by the decisions of the top management

These are individuals who support the training exercise can also be called cadre.

This refers to a comprehensive approach for ensuring that personnel, agencies, and organisations involved in emergency management are prepared to respond effectively to incidents and disasters. TT&E involves a combination of educational training, practical testing, and simulated exercises to evaluate and improve response capabilities.

A NIMS resource classification that refers to capability of a specific kind of resource to which a metric is applied to designate it as a specific numbered class.

Establishes common definitions for capabilities of personnel, equipment, teams, supplies and facilities.

version of command established when incidents under an Area Command are multijurisdictional. See Area Command.

The individual in charge of a unit in ICS.

Uninterruptible Power Supply

United States of America

United States Agency for International Development

United States Department of Agriculture

United States Forest Service 

A document or strategy used in wildland fire management to outline and organise the specific actions and tactics that will be used to address a wildfire. It builds upon the WFSA and serves as a detailed, actionable plan for managing a wildfire response, ensuring that objectives are met in a coordinated, efficient, and safe manner. The WFIP provides the Incident Management Team (IMT) and other responders with a clear, practical blueprint for how to proceed with fire suppression and containment efforts. It specifies the resources needed, establishes priorities, and details tactical operations based on the wildfire’s size, location, and behaviour.

Is a critical document and process used in wildland fire management to assess and evaluate a wildfire’s situation, potential impacts, and the best strategy for response. It is used to guide decisions about how to manage a wildfire, determine resource needs, and develop an appropriate action plan based on the fire’s current and predicted behaviour.

Is used when you may have a temporary task group/team used for a single purpose/assignment. Asking three simple “what” questions can provide the relevant information better than the structured approach due to not everyone knowing how the structure works. The first what question should be asking the group what events were observed and to describe the outcome of these events. The second what question should be to gather information on what actions had been effective and what actions were problematic. The third what question should focus on identifying any proposed follow-up actions.

A focus on enabling the participation in incident management activities of a wide range of players from the private and nonprofit sectors, including NGOs and the general public, in conjunction with the participation of all levels of government, to foster better coordination and working relationships.

A type of discussion-based exercise focused on increased participant interaction and focusing on achieving or building a product (e.g., plans, policies). A workshop is typically used to test new ideas, processes, or procedures; train groups in coordinated activities; and obtain consensus. Workshops often use breakout sessions to explore parts of an issue with smaller groups.

A zone of transition between wildland (unoccupied land) and human development. Communities in the WUI are at risk of catastrophic wildfire and their presence disrupts the ecology.