The IS-200 is a course developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help train people in how to be prepared for disasters. The course focuses on giving you the knowledge and skills necessary to establish an incident command system during emergencies, as well as offer guidance on how to handle various incidents. This page will provide answers for all questions about the IS-200.
The FEMA IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response supplies training on the ICS and provides resources. This course reviews the basic position, offers insight into what an incident commander does, and how to handle various situations.
The Emergency Management Institute developed its ICS courses collaboratively with:
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- United State Fire Administration’s National Fire Programs Branch
Note: IS-200.c is an updated version of the IS-200 course. If you have successfully completed IS-200.b or IS-200.a, you may want to review the new version of the course. For credentialing purposes, the courses are equivalent.
ICS IS-200.C Answers
Which Incident Type requires one or two single resources with up to six personnel?
Answer: Type 5 incident can be handled with one or two single resources with up to six personnel.
Which of the following would NOT typically be included in the transfer of command briefing?
Answer: Special requests from agency representatives.
An Incident Commander’s scope of authority comes from the Incident Action Plan.
Answer: False
Which Incident Type requires or national resources with up to 200 personnel per operational period?
Answer: Type 2
Which of the following best describes the Operational Period Briefing?
Answer: Helps keep the public and media informed about the incident status and operational accomplishments.
The Incident Command System (ICS) is only applicable to large, complex incidents.
TRUE
FALSE
Who generally facilitates the Operational Period Brief?
Answer: Planning Sectional Chief
Which of these is NOT a tool that you would need at the incident?
A. Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
B. Exercise Plan
C. Maps of the affected area
D. Agency Procedures Manual
Which ICS Supervisory Position title is used at the Division/Group organizational level?
A. Officer
B. Supervisor
C. Leader
D. Chief
Which factor does not impact the complexity of an incident?
A. Community and responder safety
B. Cost considerations of responding agencies
C. Potential hazardous materials
D. Political sensitivity, external influences, and media relations
Which of the following is not part of the NIMS management characteristic of chain of command?
A. Community and responder safety
B. Cost considerations of responding agencies
C. Potential hazardous materials
D. Political sensitivity, external influences, and media relations
When a more qualified person arrives on scene, which statement best describes what happens?
A. The more qualified person automatically becomes the new Incident Commander and assumes command. The outgoing Incident Commander demobilizes to avoid confusion.
B. The Emergency Operations Center Director must order a Transfer of Command.
C. The more qualified person becomes the new Incident Commander at the beginning of the next operational period.
D. The more qualified person has options based on agency guidelines; these can include assuming command, maintaining command as is, or requesting a more qualified Incident Commander.
An Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) from the affected jurisdiction is considered an ICS Tool.
Answer: An Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) from the affected jurisdiction is considered an ICS Tool is true.
Which of the following is NOT a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?
A. Measurable and attainable
B. Includes a standard and timeframe
C. Stated in broad terms to allow for flexibility
D. In accordance with the Incident Commander’s authorities
An Incident Commander’s scope of authority comes from the Incident Action Plan.
Answer: An Incident Commander’s scope of authority comes from the Incident Action Plan is true.
Which of the following demonstrates a leader’s commitment to duty?
A. Developing subordinates for the future.
B. Stepping out of a tactical role to assume a leadership role when needed.
C. Ensuring tasks are understood.
D. All of the above.
When an incident expands ________________________________.
A. only the functions and positions necessary are filled.
B. all functions of the Command and General Staff are filled and the entire list of elements within each Section.
C. functions and positions remain the same throughout the incident regardless of expansion.
D. all functions of the Command and General Staff must be filled.
Mutual aid agreements ________________________________.
A. are mandated in state and county emergency management budgets.
B. are limited to the exchange of resources between neighboring states.
C. base their assistance on the equivalent monetary value of shared resources.
D. assist agencies and jurisdictions when existing resources are inadequate.
An important feature of emergency operation plans is that they ________________________________.
Answer: An important feature of Emergency Operation Plans is that they: provide a uniform response to all hazards that a community may face.
Which NIMS Management Characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols to accomplish tasks?
A. Modular Organization
B. Comprehensive Resource Management
C. Manageable Span of Control
D. Management by Objectives
Which type of briefing is delivered to individual resources or crews who are assigned to operational tasks and/or work at or near the incident site?
A. Field-level briefing
B. Operational Period Briefing
C. Section-level briefing
D. Staff-level briefing
Which Incident Type do these characteristics describe: some or all of the Command and General Staff are activated as well as Division or Group Supervisor and/or Unit Leader positions, the incident extends into multiple operational periods, and a written IAP is required?
A. Type 2
B. Type 5
C. Type 4
D. Type 3
To ensure a smooth transfer, the outgoing Incident Commander should provide a ___________ to the new Incident Commander.
A. Transfer of Command Briefing
B. Situational Analysis Document
C. List of personnel staffing each Section
D. Lessons Learned Report
NIMS provides a consistent framework for incident management at all jurisdictional levels regardless of the cause, size, or complexity of the incident.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
An Incident Commander’s scope of authority is derived from existing laws, agency policies, and/or ______.
A. Delegation of Authority
B. IMT Position Description
C. Incident Action Plan
D. Outgoing Incident Commander
Which NIMS Management Characteristic refers to the number of subordinates that directly report to a supervisor?
A. Modular Organization
B. Chain of Command and Unity of Command
C. Manageable Span of Control
D. Management by Objectives
When command is transferred, then all personnel involved in the incident should be told:
A. The qualifications of the incoming Incident Commander
B. The Incident Commander’s cell phone number
C. The effective time and date of the transfer
D. The limits of the Incident Commander’s scope of authority
Which Command Staff member approves the Incident Action Plan and all requests pertaining to the ordering and releasing of incident resources?
A. Incident Commander
B. Liaison Officer
C. Public Information Officer
D. Safety Officer
Which Incident Type requires regional or national resources with up to 200 personnel per operational period?
A. Type 1
B. Type 5
C. Type 4
D. Type 2
Which Incident Type requires regional or national resources, all Command and General Staff positions are activated, branches are activated, personnel may exceed 500 per operational period, and a disaster declaration may occur?
A. Type 1
B. Type 4
C. Type 3
D. Type 2
The Incident Command System (ICS) is only applicable to large, complex incidents – False.
The Incident Command System (ICS) is:
A. A standardized management tool for meeting the demands of small or large emergency or nonemergency situations.
B. Most applicable to the management of complex incidents that extend over many hours or days.
C. A military system used in domestic incidents to ensure command and control of Federal resources.
D. A relatively new approach created based on the lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey disaster operations.
