Incident Command and NIMS questions for the ASP

Question 1

A chemical release at a plant triggers a Unified Command at the on-scene incident command post (ICP). The county EOC has also activated, and each location has staffed a Public Information Officer (PIO). Within hours, the two PIOs are giving the media conflicting evacuation details. Which action by the PIOs best reflects how NIMS expects them to prevent this?

1. ARoute all public statements through the Safety Officer to verify technical accuracy before release
2. BLet each PIO release information independently, since each serves a different level of management
3. CMaintain close contact through pre-established Joint Information System protocols so messages stay coordinated
4. DHave the on-scene PIO stop all media contact until the EOC PIO takes over all public messaging

Question 2

During a warehouse chemical release response, the Incident Commander is focused on resource requests when the Safety Officer notices an entry team about to enter a zone without the required respiratory protection. The Safety Officer immediately orders the team to halt and re-equip before proceeding. Under NIMS, how should this action be characterized?

1. AOutside the Safety Officer's role, because only the Operations Section Chief may stop operational work
2. BWithin the Safety Officer's role, because the Safety Officer modifies or stops the work of personnel to prevent unsafe acts
3. COutside the Safety Officer's role, because Command Staff members may only advise and must wait for the Incident Commander's written approval
4. DWithin the role only if the Safety Officer first convenes the Planning Section to revise the incident objectives

Question 3

A wildfire-related incident at a chemical storage facility is winding down. The Logistics Section Chief notes that a fire engine from a neighboring county, sent under a mutual aid request, is no longer needed. The Planning Section Chief says the engine should simply be released immediately so the crew can drive home, and that how it is restored can be sorted out later by the home department. Which action is most consistent with NIMS guidance on demobilization?

1. APlanning and logistics staff collaborate before demobilization to plan how the engine is rehabilitated, replenished, or restored to operational condition
2. BHold the engine at the incident until all reimbursement claims have been fully validated and paid
3. CRelease the engine immediately, since restoration of equipment is solely the resource provider's responsibility after it leaves the incident
4. DRequire the requesting jurisdiction to dispose of the engine's consumables on site before it departs, regardless of the provider's procedures