Planning Section Chief — IMH Navigator

Responsibilities

The Planning Section Chief (PSC), a member of the General Staff, is responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of incident information and maintaining status of assigned resources. Information is needed to: 1) understand the current situation; 2) predict the probable course of incident events; 3) prepare alternative strategies for the incident; and 4) submit required incident status reports. The PSC may have Deputy PSCs, who may be from the same organization or from an assisting agency. The Deputy PSC should have the same qualifications for whom they work and must be ready to take over the position at any time.

Organization

Org chart coming soon

Checklist 0/30

Review common and leadership responsibilities.
Obtain briefing from the Incident Commander (IC).
Assign personnel already on-site and request additional personnel to staff Planning Section positions appropriately (ensure compliance with organizational emergency response plans, as appropriate).
Manage input to the Incident Event Log with the Situation Unit Leader (SITL).
Keep IC/UC/IMT appraised of any significant changes in incident status.
Work with Incident Commander (IC) and section chiefs to prepare draft Form 202 Incident Objectives and Form 202A Command Direction.
Manage collection, processing, and displaying of incident information with SITL.
Establish special information collection activities as necessary (e.g., weather, environmental, etc.).
Supervise the tracking of incident personnel and resources through the Resource Unit Leader (RESL).
Oversee document management process with Legal Officer and DOCL.
Assist Operations Section Chief (OSC) to develop response strategies, including appropriate alternative strategies.
Facilitate planning cycle meetings and briefings.
Develop Form 230 Daily Meeting Schedule in conjunction with the IC/UC and Situation Unit Leader (SITL).
Provide periodic predictions on incident potential.
Coordinate with PIO/LOFR on the current SITSTAT and Resource Status so that release of information is accurate.
Oversee information management processes and plans, including the development and approval of the Information Management Plan.
Support information requirements and reporting schedules for Planning Section.
Ensure the accuracy of all information being produced by Planning Section units with special attention to Form 202B IC/UC Critical Information Requirements (CIRs).
Assist Operations with development of the Form 234 Work Analysis Matrix and Form 215 Operational Planning Worksheet. Facilitate tactics development process. 108
Supervise preparation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Determine the need to create an information management plan to establish a process of maintaining situational awareness through formal information flow.
Coordinate with the Deputy IC to identify internal and external reporting requirements of agencies /organizations within the Unified Command. Assign the Deputy PSC the task of managing information from the field and within the IMT using the Deputy IC, and SITL.
Incorporate plans (e.g., Traffic, Medical, Communications, Site Safety) into IAP.
Develop other incident supporting plans (e.g., decontamination, demobilization, SCAT plans).
Assemble information on alternative strategies.
Confirm required internal and external notifications have been made with SITL and LOFR.
Assign Technical Specialists throughout organization where needed.
Oversee preparation and implementation of the Incident Demobilization Plan.
Prepare General Plan for long term incident.
Maintain Form 214a Individual Log and forward to Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL) for disposition.

Forms to Complete

Form 202

Prepare Draft Incident Objectives

Form 234 Work Analysis Matrix with Operations Section

IAP Cover Sheet

Prepare IAP Cover Sheet

Form 230

Prepare Meeting Schedule

Form 233 Open Action Tracker

Form 202A Command Direction &

Form 202B CIRs

Meetings to Attend

Initial Response & AssessmentIncident Brief Form 201Initial Command MeetingCommand & General Staff Briefing Tactics Meeting Planning Meeting Operations BriefingImplement New IAP & Assess Progress

Handbook Pages	170–171 (2 pages)
Part	B — Incident Management
Section	5.2 Planning Section Chief (PSC)
Type	role