Course Description
This course has been created to enhance your foundational knowledge of incident command theory while applying practical, real-world strategies to support you in any command role you may assume. The course is designed to complement your specific department's fire officer training program. While this course is not tactical, one of the primary learning objectives is to provide you with the academic background that will enhance your abilities when you are tactically engaged at any incident. The course is deeply rooted in the culture, history, and traditions of the Canadian Fire Service.
Course Outline
- Week 1: The History of the ICS System
- Week 2: The Great 8
- Week 3: Command Leadership
- Week 4: Staying out of the Penalty Box
- Week 5: Bias and Cognitive Impairment in the Fire Service
- Week 6: Risk Assessments
- Week 7: Principles in Action
- Week 8: Unified Command
- Week 9: Zoning In and Out - A 50 Thousand Foot Lens
- Week 10: Wildland Fighting and Command Strategies
- Week 11: Foundational Concepts in Thinking
- Week 12: From Knowledge to Action: Preparing for High-Stakes Incident Command
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- identify key historical events that led to the development of the Incident Command System (ICS);
- analyze major incident failures to evaluate lessons learned and propose strategies to prevent repetition;
- apply the fourteen principles of the Incident Command System to effectively manage incident scenarios;
- develop their own leadership mantras that will support and sharpen their efforts in leading people during times of emergency or crisis;
- recognize how our brains comprehend information in times of stress;
- apply knowledge of how unified command operates to support larger incidents;
- create standard operating procedures that strengthen tactical effectiveness and safety on the fireground;
- demonstrate predictive analytical skills on the fireground; and
- demonstrate an ability to take a fifty thousand foot lens and gain strong situational awareness avoiding tunnel vision.
Microcredential
This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. 
Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.
Learn more about this microcredential here.
Notes
The Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Prerequisites
Before taking this course, students must complete ICS 100 and ICS 200. More information about ICS 100 and 200 training can be found here: Incident Command System Canada - Training. Students should also complete the Certificate in Fire Service Leadership before taking this course, but special permission may be granted from the program director to take it as a stand-alone course in some cases.
- FIRE INCE - Fire Incident CMD EXP (CR)
- FIRE SVCL - Fire Service Leadership Cert (CR)
Recommended For
- senior firefighters that will be placed into Incident Commander roles on occasion;
- those in an acting capacity that will regularly be placed into Incident Commander roles; and
- fire professionals looking to expand their knowledge of concepts associated with Incident Command Systems and to better understand the evolution of ICS within the Fire Service and society in general.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Certificate in Advanced Fire Service Administration : Required
- Diploma in General Fire Leadership : Elective - Certificate in Emergency Management for the Fire Service, Elective - Certificate in Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management, Elective - Certificate in Advanced Fire Service Administration, Elective - Certificate in Operational Planning, Elective - Certificate in Training Officer Education, Elective - Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness, Elective - Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Fire Service, Elective - Certificate in Fire Service Human Resource Management
- Certificate in Emergency Management for the Fire Service : Required
- Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Fire Service : Required
- Fire Officer III Certification Track : Required
- Certificate in Fire Service Human Resource Management : Required
- Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness : Required
- Certificate in Operational Planning : Required
- Certificate in Training Officer Education : Required
- Certificate in Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management : Required