Tab 8
NIMS - The Planning Process

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current information that accurately describes the incident situation and resource status;

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predictions of the probable course of events;

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alternative strategies to attain critical incident objectives; and

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an accurate, realistic, IAP for the next operational period.

1. Understand the Situation.
The first phase includes gathering, recording, analyzing, and displaying situation and resource information in a manner that will ensure

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2. Establish Incident Objectives and Strategy.
The second phase includes formulating and prioritizing incident objectives and identifying an appropriate strategy. The incident objectives and strategy must conform to the legal obligations and management objectives of all affected agencies. Reasonable alternative strategies that will accomplish overall incident objectives are identified, analyzed, and evaluated to determine the most appropriate strategy for the situation at hand. Evaluation criteria include public health and safety factors;
estimated costs; and various environmental, legal, and political considerations.

3. Develop the Plan.
The third phase involves determining the tactical direction and the specific resource, reserves, and support requirements for implementing the selected strategy for one operational period. This phase is usually the responsibility of the IC, who bases decisions on resources allocated to enable a sustained response. After determining the availability of resources, the IC develops a plan that makes the best use of these resources.

Prior to the formal planning meetings, each member of the Command Staff and each functional Section Chief is responsible for gathering certain information to support these decisions. During the Planning Meeting, the Section Chiefs develop the plan collectively.

4. Prepare and Disseminate the Plan.
The fourth phase involves preparing the plan in a format that is appropriate for the level of complexity of the incident.

For the initial response, the format is a well-prepared outline for an oral briefing. For most incidents that will span multiple operational periods, the plan will be developed in writing according to ICS procedures.

5. Evaluate and Revise the Plan.
The planning process includes the requirement to evaluate planned events and check the accuracy of information to be used in planning for subsequent operational periods. The General Staff should regularly compare planned progress with actual progress. When deviations occur and when new information emerges, that information should be included in the first step of the process used for modifying the current plan or developing the plan for the subsequent operational period.

1. General Responsibilities.

The general responsibilities associated with the Planning Meeting and the development of the IAP are described below. The Planning Section Chief should review these with the General Staff prior to the planning meeting.

2. Preplanning Steps: Understanding the Problem and Establishing
Objectives and Strategy.
The Planning Section Chief should take the following actions prior to the initial Planning Meeting (if possible, obtaining a completed Incident Briefing Form ICS 201):

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3. Conducting the Planning Meeting.
The Planning Meeting is normally conducted by the Planning Section Chief. The checklist that follows is intended to provide a basic sequence of steps to aid the Planning Section Chief in developing the IAP. The planning checklist is used with the ICS Planning Matrix Board and/or ICS Form 215—Operational Planning Worksheet.8 (The worksheet is laid out in the same manner as the Planning Matrix Board.) Every incident must have an action plan. However, not all incidents require written plans. The need for written plans and attachments is based on the requirements of the incident and the decision of the IC.

The Planning Meeting checklist is as follows:

4. Brief on Situation and Resource Status.
The Planning Section Chief and/or Resources and Situation Unit Leaders should provide an up-to-date briefing on the situation. Information for this briefing may come from any or all of the following sources:

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5. Set Control Objectives.
This step is accomplished by the IC. The control objectives are not limited to any single operational period but will consider the total incident situation. The IC will establish the general strategy to be used; will state any major policy, legal, or fiscal constraints on accomplishing the objectives; and will offer appropriate contingency considerations.

6. Plot Control Lines and Division Boundaries on Map.
This step is normally accomplished by the Operations Section Chief (for the next operational period) in conjunction with the Planning Section Chief who will determine control line locations, establish division and branch boundaries for geographical divisions, and determine the need for functional group assignments for the next operational period. These will be plotted on the map.

7. Specify Tactics for Each Division.
After determining division geographical assignments, the Operations Section Chief will establish the specific work assignments to be used for each division for the next operational period. (Note that it may be necessary or desirable to establish a functional group in addition to geographical divisions.) Tactics (work assignments) must be specific and must be within the boundaries set by the IC’s general control objectives (strategies). These work assignments should be recorded on the planning matrix. The IC, Operations Section Chief, and Logistics Section Chief should also at this time consider the need for any alternative strategies or tactics and ensure that these are properly noted on the planning matrix.

8. Specify Resources Needed by Division.
After specifying tactics for each division, the Operations Section Chief, in conjunction with the Planning Section Chief, will determine the resource needs by division to accomplish the work assignments. Resource needs will be recorded on the planning matrix. Resource needs should be considered on basis of the type of resources required to accomplish the assignment.

9. Specify Operations Facilities and Reporting Locations and Plot on
Map.
The Operations Section Chief, in conjunction with the Planning and Logistics Section Chiefs, should designate and make available the facilities and reporting locations required to accomplish Operations Section work assignments. The Operations Section Chief should also at this time indicate the reporting time requirements for the resources and any special resource assignments.

10. Place Resource and Personnel Order.
At this time, the Planning Section Chief should assess resource needs assessment using the needs indicated by the Operations Section Chief and resources data available from the Planning Section’s Resources Unit. The planning matrix, when properly completed, will show resource requirements and the resources available to meet those requirements. Subtracting the resources available from those required will indicate any additional resource needs. From this assessment, a new resource order can be developed and provided to the IC for approval and then placed through normal dispatch channels by the Logistics Section.

11. Consider Communications, Medical, and Traffic Plan Requirements.
The IAP will normally consist of the Incident Objectives (ICS 202), Organization Chart (ICS 203), Division Assignment List (ICS 204), and a map of the incident area. Larger incidents may require additional supporting attachments, such as a separate Communications Plan (ICS 205), a Medical Plan (ICS 206), and possibly a Traffic Plan. (For examples of ICS forms, see Appendix A, Tab 9.) The Planning Section Chief must determine the need for these attachments and ensure that the appropriate units prepare such attachments. For major incidents, the IAP and attachments will normally include the items listed in Table A-2.

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Prior to the completion of the plan, the Planning Section Chief should review the division and group tactical work assignments for any changes due to lack of resource availability.

The Resource Unit may then transfer division assignment information including alternatives from the planning matrix board or form (ICS 215) onto the Division Assignment Lists (ICS 204).

12. Finalize, Approve, and Implement the Incident Action Plan.
The Planning Section is responsible for seeing that the IAP is completed, reviewed, and distributed. The following is the sequence of steps for accomplishing this: