Nims ICS-400: Advanced ICS
Command and General Staff—
Complex Incidents Latest Update
2025/2026 GRADED A+
1. The term "major or complex incident" may have different meanings to different
agencies depending upon the size of the jurisdiction, number of resources available,
and other variables. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of major or complex
incidents:
a. Involve more than one agency and/or political jurisdiction.
b. Require numerous tactical and support resources.
c. Can be mitigated in one operational period.
d. Require extensive recovery efforts. - correct answerc. Can be x in one operational
period.
2. The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory,
or delegated authority is the definition of:
(a) Command
(b) Coordination
(c) Communication
(p. 5.4 SM, 5.9 IG) - correct answer(a) Command
3. What type of ICS structure is illustrated below?
Caption: ICS organization with Incident Command, Operations Section, Planning
Section, Logistics Section, and Finance/Admin Sections. Reporting to the Operations
Section are Branch I (Incident 1), Branch II (Incident 2), and Branch III (Incident 3).
(a) Area Command
(b) Incident Complex
(c) Unified Command
(d) Incident Command Post
(p. 3.8 SM, 3.16 IG) - correct answer(b) Incident Complex
4. Which of the following is NOT a reason why a single incident may be divided into
separate incidents:
a. When an incident spreads into other jurisdiction(s) and Unified Command is not
feasible.
b. When it is difficult to manage from one location due to terrain and access.
c. When the Planning Section, even with additional resources, can no longer adequately
provide planning services.
, d. When the Communications Unit Leader says so . - correct answerd. When the
Communications Unit Leader says so .
5. When Branch Tactical Planning is implemented, then:
(a) A Tactical Planning Branch with technical specialists is added to the Planning
Section in order to provide better support throughout the planning process.
(b) The Planning Section becomes a Branch within the Operations Section, thus
allowing a more integrated planning process.
(c) The Emergency Operations Center establishes a specialized Planning Branch and
begins directing planning activities.
(d) A Branch within the Operations Section develops detailed action plans while the
Planning Section provides support and coordination. - correct answer(d) A Branch
within the Operations Section develops detailed action plans while the Planning Section
provides support and coordination.
6. An incident is geographically dispersed, and it is not feasible for the incident base to
support the incident logistical needs. Assuming that you do not want to divide the
incident in two separate incidents, what is another option for managing this incident?
a. Co-locate the logistics base with the staging areas, with the Staging Area Manager
assuming responsibility.
b. Divide the Logistics Section into Divisions that represent each geographic area
reporting to a Supervisor.
c. Establish a second Logistics Section reporting to a Deputy Incident Commander
(Logistics).
d. Have the Emergency Operations Center establish a Logistics Section and assume
command responsibility for that function. - correct answerc. Establish a second Logistics
Section reporting to a Deputy Incident Commander (Logistics).
7. __________ provides command authority and coordination for two or more incidents
in close proximity and works directly with Incident Commanders.
a. Area Command
b. Incident Complex
c. Multi-agency Coordination Center
d. NIOSA - correct answera. Area Command
8. __________ is an application of ICS that is used when there is more than one
agency with incident jurisdiction.
a. Single Point Ordering
b. Unified Command
c. Incident Command Post
d. Base Camp - correct answerb. Unified Command
9. __________ expands offsite coordination and support systems, consists of Agency
Administrators or designees and makes coordinated policy decisions on issues that
affect multiple agencies.
a. Incident Command Post
Command and General Staff—
Complex Incidents Latest Update
2025/2026 GRADED A+
1. The term "major or complex incident" may have different meanings to different
agencies depending upon the size of the jurisdiction, number of resources available,
and other variables. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of major or complex
incidents:
a. Involve more than one agency and/or political jurisdiction.
b. Require numerous tactical and support resources.
c. Can be mitigated in one operational period.
d. Require extensive recovery efforts. - correct answerc. Can be x in one operational
period.
2. The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory,
or delegated authority is the definition of:
(a) Command
(b) Coordination
(c) Communication
(p. 5.4 SM, 5.9 IG) - correct answer(a) Command
3. What type of ICS structure is illustrated below?
Caption: ICS organization with Incident Command, Operations Section, Planning
Section, Logistics Section, and Finance/Admin Sections. Reporting to the Operations
Section are Branch I (Incident 1), Branch II (Incident 2), and Branch III (Incident 3).
(a) Area Command
(b) Incident Complex
(c) Unified Command
(d) Incident Command Post
(p. 3.8 SM, 3.16 IG) - correct answer(b) Incident Complex
4. Which of the following is NOT a reason why a single incident may be divided into
separate incidents:
a. When an incident spreads into other jurisdiction(s) and Unified Command is not
feasible.
b. When it is difficult to manage from one location due to terrain and access.
c. When the Planning Section, even with additional resources, can no longer adequately
provide planning services.
, d. When the Communications Unit Leader says so . - correct answerd. When the
Communications Unit Leader says so .
5. When Branch Tactical Planning is implemented, then:
(a) A Tactical Planning Branch with technical specialists is added to the Planning
Section in order to provide better support throughout the planning process.
(b) The Planning Section becomes a Branch within the Operations Section, thus
allowing a more integrated planning process.
(c) The Emergency Operations Center establishes a specialized Planning Branch and
begins directing planning activities.
(d) A Branch within the Operations Section develops detailed action plans while the
Planning Section provides support and coordination. - correct answer(d) A Branch
within the Operations Section develops detailed action plans while the Planning Section
provides support and coordination.
6. An incident is geographically dispersed, and it is not feasible for the incident base to
support the incident logistical needs. Assuming that you do not want to divide the
incident in two separate incidents, what is another option for managing this incident?
a. Co-locate the logistics base with the staging areas, with the Staging Area Manager
assuming responsibility.
b. Divide the Logistics Section into Divisions that represent each geographic area
reporting to a Supervisor.
c. Establish a second Logistics Section reporting to a Deputy Incident Commander
(Logistics).
d. Have the Emergency Operations Center establish a Logistics Section and assume
command responsibility for that function. - correct answerc. Establish a second Logistics
Section reporting to a Deputy Incident Commander (Logistics).
7. __________ provides command authority and coordination for two or more incidents
in close proximity and works directly with Incident Commanders.
a. Area Command
b. Incident Complex
c. Multi-agency Coordination Center
d. NIOSA - correct answera. Area Command
8. __________ is an application of ICS that is used when there is more than one
agency with incident jurisdiction.
a. Single Point Ordering
b. Unified Command
c. Incident Command Post
d. Base Camp - correct answerb. Unified Command
9. __________ expands offsite coordination and support systems, consists of Agency
Administrators or designees and makes coordinated policy decisions on issues that
affect multiple agencies.
a. Incident Command Post
