Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 03/31/2011 04/01/20 21
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
207 – Critical Incident Response Plan 1 POLICY 207 CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN
207.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
To provide guidance to Department staff regarding response considerations when the Incident
Command System (ICS) is utilized during field response to critical incidents. This General Order
augments and provides supplemental considerations regarding natural and man-made disasters,
civil disturbances, pandemics and as a supplement to the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and
other critical incidents that are not discussed in other Department orders, policies, or procedures.
207.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 46.1.1 , 46.1.2 , 46.1.3 , 46.1.4 , 46.1.5 ,
46.1.6 , 46.1.7 , 46.1.8 , 46.1.9, 46.1.10 , 46.1.12 , 46.2.6, 46.2.7
This section pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: CP610
207.2 POLICY
It shall be the policy of this Department to respond to planned and unplanned events, disaste rs or
emergencies that occur within the City of Tustin , or when requested in a professional and informed
manner utilizing ICS as incorporated in both California’s Standardized Emergency Management
System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The Department’s
objective will be the restoration of pre -incident law enforcement status to the affected area(s) and
to provide for the protection of life and property during a disaster.
207.3 DEFINITIONS
Emergency Situation : An actual or potential condition that poses an immediate threat to life or
property.
Critical Incidents : Situations, generally of an emergency nature, that result from disaster, bot h
natural and man -made, that include civil disturbances, earthquakes, floods, pandemics,
explosions, riots, disorders, violence from dissident gatherings and marches, rock concerts,
political conventions, labor disputes, active threats and terrorist activi ties.
Exercise : Gathering of individuals inclusive of government and private sector persons, to develop
plans, practice simulated implementation, and to discuss each agency’s role in handling critical
incidents. This could include table top, functional, and/or full field exercises.
Incident Commander : The designated Department member in charge at a field command post
during an emergency or critical incidents . Incident Commanders may also be referred to as the
Officer -in-Charge.
Incident Command System (ICS) : A system for command, control, and coordination of a response
that provides a means to coordinate the efforts of individual persons and agencies as they work
toward the common goal of stabilizing an incident while protecting life, property, and envi ronment.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 03/31/2011 04/01/20 21
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
207 – Critical Incident Response Plan 2 There are five major components: command, operation, planning, logistics, and finance &
administration.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) : A comprehensive, national approach to incident
management that is applicable at all jurisdictiona l levels and across all functional disciplines.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) : An organizational framework and
guidance for emergency operations at each level of the State's emergency management system.
Provides the umbrella under which all response agencies may function in an integrated fashion.
Required by the State of C alifornia for managing response to multi -agency and multi -jurisdiction
emergencies.
Unified Command : A procedure used at incidents that allows all agencies with geogr aphical, legal
or functional responsibility to establish a common set of incident objectives and strategies, and a
single Incident Action Plan. Unified Command procedures assure agencies they do not lose their
individual responsibility, authority, or accou ntability.
207.4 CHAIN OF COMMAND
The Chain of Command is established through the normal course of business within the
Department. At the scene of a critical incident, the Incident Commander will be the most senior
officer or supervisor on scene until r elieved by a more senior supervisor or member of the Tustin
Police Department Command Staff. Designated supervisory staff shall coordinate employees and,
if the incident is a mutual aid request, accept assignment from the Incident Commander. All
employees committed to mutual aid shall remain under the control of the Police Department.
Chief of Police: Maintains overall responsibility for and command of any law enforcement critical
incident response.
Deputy Police Chief : Provides command over the units res ponsible for providing critical support
during a crisis. These units include, but are not limited to : SWAT ; Crisis Negotiations ; Traffic Unit ;
etc. In the absence of the Deputy Police Chief , another Division Commander may assume
command and responsibility.
Incident Commander: A command level officer designated as the On -Scene Commander during an
operation. The Incident Commander is responsible for directing the operation.
Public Information Officer (PIO): A designated individual who has overall responsib ility for the
coordination of public information efforts during an operation. He/she is the PIO liaison with the
Special Operations Division Commander, but is not part of the operational chain of command. The
PIO is an assignment usually filled by the Depa rtment’s Public Information Officer. In the absence
of the