homeland security presidential directive #5. all emergency services will conduct operations in accordance with the national response framework. NRF basically says follow ICS.
The MOST QUALIFIED person on scene should assume command. in every single beginner ICS class, they go through great pains to make it clear that this does NOT mean 'highest ranking'.
somebody on scene should have have established command as soon as the, literally, the smoke started to clear. When I was working for the county, when I would establish command, I needed to be sure I was transferring command to a competent person. a fire chief arriving on scene doesnt mean bumpkis. Nobody can just take command once an incident is rolling. Yeah, it causes a lot of hurt feelings. Too bad. I was there to help people by running an effective and efficient incident. Not stroke egos.
which brings us to AHJ. I would argue that BPD was AHJ until they asked for state or federal assistance. Clearly its a crime scene. In todays world, again so nobody has a major sad attack, BPD should have established unified command with BFD.
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