Tab 4
NIMS - The Logistics Section

A. Supply Unit

B. Facilities Unit

C. Ground Support Unit

D. Communications Unit

E. Food Unit

F. Medical Unit

The Logistics Section meets all support needs for the incident, including ordering resources through appropriate procurement authorities from off-incident locations. It also provides facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment maintenance and fueling, food service, communications, and medical services for incident personnel. See Figure 4-A. The Logistics Section is led by a Section Chief, who may also have a deputy. Having a deputy is encouraged when all designated units are established at an incident site. When the incident is very large or requires a number of facilities with large numbers of equipment, the Logistics Section can be divided into two branches (Figure 4-B provides an example).

Figure 4-A

Figure 4-B

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A. SUPPLY UNIT.

The Supply Unit orders, receives, stores, and processes all incident-related resources, personnel, and supplies. ag-guys.com

Once established, the Supply Unit also has the basic responsibility for all off-incident ordering, including

The Supply Unit provides the support required to receive, process, store, and distribute all supply orders. The unit also handles tool operations, which include storing, disbursing, and servicing of all tools and portable, nonexpendable equipment.

B. FACILITIES UNIT.

The Facilities Unit sets up, maintains, and demobilizes all facilities used in support of incident operations. The unit also provides facility maintenance and security services required to support incident operations.

The Facilities Unit sets up the ICP, incident base, and camps, as well as trailers and/or other forms of shelter for use in and around the incident area. The incident base and camps may often be established in areas having existing structures, which may be used in their entirety or only in part. The Facilities Unit also provides and sets up necessary personnel support facilities, including areas for

This unit also orders, through supply, such additional support items as portable toilets, shower facilities, and lighting units.

Note that providing shelter for victims is a critical operational activity, which will be incorporated into the IAP. Sheltering will normally be conducted by appropriate nongovernmental organization staff, such as the American Red Cross or other similar entities.

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C. GROUND SUPPORT UNIT.

The Ground Support Unit

In addition to its primary functions of maintaining and servicing vehicles and mobile equipment, the Ground Support Unit also maintains a transportation pool for major incidents. This pool consists of vehicles (e.g., staff cars, buses, pick-ups) that are suitable for transporting personnel. The Ground Support Unit also provides up-to-date information on the location and status of transportation vehicles to the Resources Unit.

D. COMMUNICATIONS UNIT.

The Communications Unit develops the Communications Plan (ICS205) to make the most effective use of the communications equipment and facilities assigned to the incident, installs and tests all communications equipment, supervises and operates the incident communications center, distributes and recovers communications equipment assigned to incident personnel, and maintains and repairs communications equipment on site.

The Communications Unit’s major responsibility is effective communications planning for the ICS, especially in the context of a multiagency incident. This is critical for determining required radio nets, establishing interagency frequency assignments, and ensuring the interoperability and the optimal use of all assigned communications capabilities.

The Communications Unit Leader should attend all incident-planning meetings to ensure that the communication systems available for the incident can support tactical operations planned for the next operational period.

Incident communications are managed through the use of a common communications plan and an incident-based communications center established solely for the use of tactical and support resources assigned to the incident.

Advance planning is required to ensure that an appropriate communications system is available to support incident operations requirements. This planning includes the development of frequency inventories, frequency-use agreements, and interagency radio caches.

Most complex incidents will require an Incident Communications Plan. The Communications Unit is responsible for planning the use of radio frequencies; establishing networks for command, tactical, support, and air units; setting up on-site telephone and public address equipment; and providing any required off-incident communication links. Codes should not be used for radio communication; a clear spoken message—based on common terminology that avoids misunderstanding in complex and noisy situations—reduces the chances for error.

Radio networks for large incidents will normally be organized as follows:

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E. FOOD UNIT.

The Food Unit determines food and water requirements; plans menus, orders food, provides cooking facilities, cooks, serves, maintains food service areas, and manages food security and safety concerns.

Efficient food service is important, but especially so for any extended incident. The Food Unit must be able to anticipate incident needs, both in terms of the number of people who will need to be fed and whether the type, location, or complexity of the incident indicates that there may be special food requirements. The unit must supply food needs for the entire incident, including all remote locations (i.e., camps and staging areas), as well as supply food service to operations personnel unable leave operational assignments. The Food Unit must interact closely with the following elements:

Careful planning and monitoring is required to ensure food safety before and during food service operations, including the assignment, as indicated, of public health professionals with expertise in environmental health and food safety.

Note that feeding victims is a critical operational activity, which will be incorporated into the IAP. Feeding activities will normally be conducted by members of an appropriate nongovernmental organization, such as the American Red Cross or similar entities.

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F. MEDICAL UNIT.

The primary responsibilities of the Medical Unit include the following:

The Medical Unit is responsible for the effective and efficient provision of medical services to incident personnel. The Medical Unit Leader will develop a medical plan, which will, in turn, form part of the IAP. The medical plan should provide specific information on medical assistance capabilities at incident locations, potential hazardous areas or conditions, and off-incident medical assistance facilities and procedures for handling complex medical emergencies. The Medical Unit will also assist the Finance/Administration Section with the administrative requirements related to injury compensation, including obtaining written authorizations, billing forms, witness statements, administrative medical documents, and reimbursement as required. The Medical Unit will ensure patient privacy to the fullest extent possible.

Note that patient care and medical services for those who are not incident personnel
(victims of a bioterror attack, hurricane victims, etc.) are critical operational activities associated with a host of potential incident scenarios. As such, these activities are incorporated into the IAP as key considerations of the Plans and Operations Sections. These sections should be staffed accordingly with appropriately qualified Emergency Medical Services public health, medical personnel, technical experts, and other professional personnel, as required.

Tab 5 - THE FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION SECTION >>