What should the initial Incident Commander include in their on-scene report?

The initial Incident Commander’s on-scene report serves as a vital communication tool that sets the stage for the overall fire operation strategy. Including the fire ground strategy in this report is essential as it outlines the approach to be taken in managing the incident. This strategic overview helps establish priorities, such as life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation.

Moreover, the fire ground strategy provides clarity to all responding units and helps ensure everyone on scene understands the priorities and tactics being employed. It is crucial for coordinating efforts among various teams and ensuring that actions taken are cohesive and effective in managing the emergency.

Although damage assessment, the location of fire hydrants, and unit personnel assignments are important components of incident management, they are typically secondary to establishing the overarching strategy. The strategy effectively drives the operational response, directing how resources are allocated and how interventions are executed at the scene.