EVACUATION – Immediate (0-2 hrs) : HEICS Command Staff

Command Staff

Incident Commander

• Ultimate responsibility for the safety of responders
• Approval of all Incident Action Plans and resources
• Situational analysis
• Setting objectives and priorities
• Delegating authority as necessary
• Primary responder until others arrive
• Activate the facility emergency operations plan and the Incident Command structure
• Appoint Command Staff and Section Chiefs
• Determine type of evacuation needed—immediate vs. delayed; vertical, horizontal, or complete
• Order organized and timely evacuation of the facility

Public Information Officer

• The information officer, or public information officer (PIO), is the news media or community contact for the event.
• Conduct regular media briefings on situation status and appropriate patient information
• -Oversee patient family notifications of evacuation, transfer or early discharge 

Liaison Officer

• The liaison officer assists the incident commander on larger incidents to which representatives from other agencies may respond by coordinating their involvement and providing them with information on conditions, objectives, and resources.
• Communicate with local emergency management agency, Fire, EMS and law enforcement about facility status and evacuation order

Safety Officer

• The safety officer ensures that regulatory compliance is maintained and develops measures to ensure the safety of all assigned personnel. The safety officer is often responsible for evaluating changing conditions and should have the authority to withdraw responders or to suspend an operation without clearance from the incident commander.
• Oversee immediate stabilization of facility
• Recommend areas for immediate evacuation to protect life
• Ensure safe evacuation of patients, staff and visitors