Operations Section Chief

Responsibilities

Organization

Checklist 0/40

• Review common and leadership responsibilities.
• Obtain briefing from the Incident Commander.
• Ensure public and responder safety is communicated as top priority at all times.
• Evaluate on-scene operations and adjust operations organization, strategies, and tactics as necessary.
• Develop Response Phase work assignments and allocate tactical resources based on strategy requirements.
• Evaluate and request sufficient section staffing for both operational & planning activities. Develop Areas of Operation ensuring appropriate span of control.
• Supervise and adjust operations organization and tactics as necessary.
• Follow the resource ordering process and document initial callout of resources and personnel and provide updates to the Resource Unit Leader.
• Use organizational components to build the operations section organization to maintain span of control through functional and geographical operations
• Develop Form 201-3 or Form 207 identifying Operations Section Organization.
• Coordinate with the Safety Officer (SOFR), ensure that operations section personnel execute work assignments following process/procedures & best practices.
• Coordinate planned activities with the SOFR and appropriate agency representatives to ensure compliance with required safety practices.
• Identify/use staging areas and request additional facilities as needed.
• Evaluate/monitor current situation for use in next operational period planning.
• Ensure the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) is advised of changes in the status of operations and resources. Provide input into the Incident Event Log and Form 209 Incident Status Summary (mass balance, waste management, and resource allocation) as necessary.
• Ensure the Resource Unit Leader (RESL) is advised of changes in the status of resources assigned to the section.
• Assemble/disassemble task force/strike teams as appropriate.
• Prepare for and participate in Planning Cycle Meetings as required.
• Work with Planning Section Chief (PSC) to prepare the Form 234 Work Analysis Matrix to convert operational objectives into strategic and tactical options and ensure those options are in line with Form 202 Incident Objectives.
• Coordinate and consult with the PSC, SOFR, technical specialists, etc., and review modeling scenarios, trajectories, etc., to ensure selection of appropriate strategies and tactics to accomplish objectives.
• Determine the need for any type specialized resources.
• Request from appropriate government agencies either safety/security zones or temporary flight restriction declarations around/over the incident response zone, when warranted.
• Determine the need for an Air Operations Branch Director.
• Implement air space de-confliction plans as required.
• Work with Planning Section Chief to develop the Form 234 Work Analysis Matrix during the Prep for Tactics Work Period.
• Prepare (in conjunction with the RESL, SOFR, and others) the Form 215 Operational Planning Worksheet using tactics and work areas identified on the Form 234 Work Analysis Matrix.
• Communicate overall objectives of response effort to Operations personnel.
• Interact and coordinate with Command on achievements, issues, problems, significant changes special activities, events, and occurrences.
• Identify kind and number of resources required to support selected strategies.
• Participate in the planning process and the development of the tactical portions (Form 204 Assignment List and Form 220 Air Operations Plan) of the Incident Action Plan (IAP).
• Review and approve final Form 204(s) prior to IAP approval.
• Implement the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the Operations Section.
• Ensure the Operations Section personnel execute work assignments following approved safety practices.
• Make, or approve, expedient changes to the IAP during the operational period, as necessary.
• Investigate the possibility of using an approved dispersant to facilitate recovery operations.
• Participate in operational briefings to IMT members as well as briefings to media, and visiting dignitaries.
• Assist with development of long-range strategic, contingency, and demobilization plans.
• Receive and implement applicable portions of the incident Demobilization Plan.
• Develop recommended list of section resources to be demobilized and initiate recommendation for release when appropriate.
• Maintain Form 214a Individual Log and forward to Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL) for disposition.

Forms to Complete

Meetings to Attend