Ignition Specialist (IGSP):  The person responsible for directing and supervising all aspects of an ignition team in the performance of tactical ignition operational assignments on wildfires and prescribed burns

Incident(s):  An occurrence either human-caused or by natural phenomena, that requires action by response personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property, environment and reduce economic and social losses.

Incident - Type 1:  Most complex type of incident to safely and effectively manage and operate; all Command and General Staff and required support positions are activated. The incident complexity analysis, agency administrative briefings, and agency delegation of authority must be completed and monitored and updated as required. Multiple agencies will be involved and there may be a declaration of emergency by the appropriate authority.  A written IAP is required for each operational period. 

Incident - Type 2: Incident will extend into multiple operational periods; this type of incident may exceed the capabilities of local fire management resources. Most or all Command and General staff positions are filled. The Agency Administrator or official is responsible for the incident complexity analysis, agency administrative briefings, and agency delegation of authority; multiple agencies may be involved. A written IAP is required for each operational period.

Incident - Type 3: The incident normally extends into multiple operational periods; the appropriate ICS positions should be added to match the complexity of the incident; some of the Command/General Staff positions (Division Supervisor, Unit Leader) may be filled; a written IAP may be required for each operational period.

Incident - Type 4:  Limited to one operational period in the out of control stage; Incident Commander is activated and other operational positions activated as required; No written Incident Action Plan is required, but an operational briefing will be completed for all incoming resources.

Incident - Type 5:  An incident of little complexity and normally under control or out within the first operational period. Incident Commander is the only position activated; a verbal Incident Action Plan is required, no written IAP is needed.

Incident Action Plan:  Contains objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy and specific tactical actions and supporting information for the next operational period.  The Plan may be oral or written.  When written, the Plan may have a number of forms as attachments (e.g., traffic plan, safety plan, communications plan, map, etc.).

Incident Base:  Location at the incident where the primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered. (Incident name will be added to the term Base).  The Incident Command Post may be co-located or shared with the Base.  There is only one Base per incident.

Incident Commander:  The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations at the incident site.  The term 'Incident Commander,' when used throughout this standard, shall be deemed to include Unified Command.

Incident Command Post (ICP):  The location at which the primary command functions are executed.  The ICP may be co-located or shared with the incident base or other incident facilities.

Incident Command System (ICS):  A standardized on-scene emergency management system specifically designed to provide for the adoption of an integrated organizational structure that reflects the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of resources during incidents. It is used for all kinds of emergencies and is applicable to small as well as large and complex incidents. ICS is used by various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private, to organize field-level incident management operations.

Incident Communications Centre:  The location of the Communications Unit and the Message Centre.

Incident Complex:  Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area.

Incident Management: The broad spectrum of activities and organizations providing effective and efficient operations, coordination, and support applied at all levels of government, utilizing both governmental and nongovernmental resources to plan for, respond to, and recover from an incident, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. 

Incident Management Teams (IMT):  The Incident Commander and appropriate Command and General Staff personnel assigned to an incident.

Incident Meteorologist (IMET): The person responsible for on-site meteorological support to an incident.

Incident Name:  When multi-agencies are responding to one incident the jurisdictional agency will name the incident (in clear text) using a common geographical or functional reference.  All cooperating and assisting agencies will use the identified incident name.

Incident Objectives:  Statements of guidance and direction necessary for the selection of appropriate strategy(s), and the tactical direction of resources.  Incident objectives area based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when all allocated resources have been assigned.  Incident objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical alternatives.

Incident Support Organization:  Includes any off-incident support provided to an incident. Examples would be Emergency Operations Centre, Agency Dispatch Centres, Airports, Mobilization Centres, etc..

Incident Termination:  The conclusion of response operation at the scene of an incident.

Information Officer (IOF):  A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media or with other agencies requiring information directly from the incident.  There is only one Information Officer per incident.  The Information Officer may have assistants.

Initial Action:  The actions taken by resources which are first to arrive at the incident.

Initial Response:  Resources initially committed to an incident.

Intelligence/Investigations: Different from operational and situational intelligence gathered and reported by the Planning Section. Intelligence/Investigations gathered within the Intelligence/ Investigations function is information that either leads to the detection, prevention, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal activities (or the individual(s) involved) including terrorist incidents or information that leads to determination of the cause of a given incident (regardless of the source) such as public health events or fires with unknown origins. 

Interagency resource representative (IARR):  A representative of the Sending Participants based at the Receiving Participants’ Coordinating Authority or a Receiving Participant’s Fire Centre who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting all the Sending Participants’ resources in the Receiving Participants’ country. The IARR reports directly to the Sending Participants’ Coordinating Authority

Interoperability: The ability of emergency management/response personnel to interact and work well together. In the context of technology, interoperability is also defined as the emergency communications system that should be the same or linked to the same system that the jurisdiction uses for nonemergency procedures, and should effectively interface with national standards as they are developed. The system should allow the sharing of data with other jurisdictions and levels of government during planning and deployment.