L0962: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Planning Section Chief Course

This course provides local- and state-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective Planning Section Chief on an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT). These responsibilities fall into two categories: 1) managing the planning cycle, and 2) tracking resources and incident status. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable participants to process and apply their new knowledge.

The learner must achieve a minimum passing score of 75% on final knowledge assessments or demonstrate mastery on performance assessments or research assignments to earn the IACET CEU.

Selection Criteria: NIMS ICS Position Specific training shall be completed by personnel who will be required to gain a certificate of training and the credentials to function in an ICS Organization, such as an IMT, as a member of the Command, General Staff or as a Unit Leader. These criteria will be verified on the student enrollment request by endorsement of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) such as the State/Tribal Training Officer or the course manager.

ACE: Level: Lower Division/Associate

ACE: Credit Hours: 2

Course Objectives

• Identify course objectives and position-specific resource materials for the position of Planning Section Chief.
• Describe the function of the Planning Section and the roles and responsibilities of the Planning Section Chief.
• Describe the function of the Resources Unit and the roles and responsibilities of the Resources Unit Leader (RESL).
• Describe the function of the Situation Unit and the roles and responsibilities of the Situation Unit Leader (SITL).
• Describe the information gathered from the initial meetings, briefings and documents.
• Describe the purpose, timing and structure of each of the meetings, briefings and documents in the Operational Period Planning Cycle.
• Identify key strategies for interacting with members of the Planning Section, members of the IMT, and personnel outside of the IMT.
• Describe the responsibilities of the Documentation Unit and Demobilization Unit Leaders and the purpose of the Final Incident Package.

Mission Areas

• Respond
• Recover
• Mitigation