FEMA Final Exam - IS-100.C: Introduction to the
Incident Command System | 300 Frequently Tested
Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales
QUESTION 1
The Incident Command System (ICS) is:
A. A military system used in domestic incidents to ensure command and control of
Federal resources.
B. Most applicable to the management of complex incidents that extend over many
hours or days.
C. A relatively new approach created based on the lessons learned from the 9/11
terrorist attacks.
D. A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for use in all
hazards.
Answer: D. A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for
use in all hazards.
Rationale: ICS is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach
that allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and
communications operating within a common organizational structure .
QUESTION 2
Which NIMS Management Characteristic may include gathering, analyzing, and
assessing weather service data from technical specialists?
A. Incident Facilities and Locations
B. Management by Objectives
C. Information and Intelligence Management
D. Integrated Communications
Answer: C. Information and Intelligence Management
,Rationale: Information and Intelligence Management involves the analysis and sharing of
information and intelligence within the ICS organization. This includes gathering data
from technical specialists such as meteorologists .
QUESTION 3
The Incident Commander or Unified Command establishes incident objectives that
include:
A. Delegating functional responsibilities and specifying resource types.
B. Establishing a manageable span of control.
C. Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the objectives.
D. Selecting personnel to serve on the Incident Management Team.
Answer: C. Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the
objectives.
Rationale: Incident objectives are established to guide the overall response. They include
strategies and tactics necessary to achieve the objectives .
QUESTION 4
Depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support facilities may
be established by:
A. the Logistics Section
B. Incident Command
C. the Planning Section
D. Local Authorities
Answer: B. Incident Command
Rationale: The Incident Commander or Unified Command establishes support facilities,
including Incident Command Posts, Bases, Camps, Staging Areas, and Helibases, based on
the incident's needs .
QUESTION 5
In a Unified Command, members representing multiple jurisdictions and agencies work
,together to establish:
A. Resource Allocations
B. Shared Agency Authority
C. Situational Awareness
D. Incident Objectives
Answer: C. Situational Awareness
Rationale: In a Unified Command, representatives from multiple agencies work together to
establish a common set of incident objectives, strategies, and a single Incident Action Plan
.
QUESTION 6
To ensure efficient, clear communication, the National Incident Management System
Characteristics recommend the use of:
A. Technical language
B. Acronyms
C. Common terminology
D. Agency-specific codes
Answer: C. Common terminology
Rationale: ICS requires the use of common terminology to ensure clear and efficient
communication among responders from different agencies and jurisdictions .
QUESTION 7
To ensure a smooth transfer, the outgoing Incident Commander should provide a(n)
___________ to the new Incident Commander.
A. Incident Action Plan
B. Situational Analysis Document
C. Lessons Learned Report
D. Briefing
Answer: D. Briefing
, Rationale: A transfer of command briefing is essential to ensure continuity and situational
awareness. The outgoing IC provides a briefing to the incoming IC .
QUESTION 8
Which ICS functional area tracks resources, collects and analyzes information, and
maintains documentation?
A. Logistics
B. Finance/Administration
C. Planning
D. Operations
Answer: C. Planning
Rationale: The Planning Section is responsible for tracking resources, collecting and
analyzing information, and maintaining incident documentation .
QUESTION 9
Which position is always staffed in ICS applications?
A. Operations Section Chief
B. Safety Officer
C. Public Information Officer
D. Incident Commander
Answer: D. Incident Commander
Rationale: The Incident Commander is the only position that is always staffed in ICS
applications. This person has overall responsibility for managing the incident .
QUESTION 10
Who designates the process for transferring command?
A. The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
B. The Command Staff
C. The Section Chiefs
D. The Incident Commander for previous operational period
Incident Command System | 300 Frequently Tested
Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales
QUESTION 1
The Incident Command System (ICS) is:
A. A military system used in domestic incidents to ensure command and control of
Federal resources.
B. Most applicable to the management of complex incidents that extend over many
hours or days.
C. A relatively new approach created based on the lessons learned from the 9/11
terrorist attacks.
D. A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for use in all
hazards.
Answer: D. A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for
use in all hazards.
Rationale: ICS is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach
that allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and
communications operating within a common organizational structure .
QUESTION 2
Which NIMS Management Characteristic may include gathering, analyzing, and
assessing weather service data from technical specialists?
A. Incident Facilities and Locations
B. Management by Objectives
C. Information and Intelligence Management
D. Integrated Communications
Answer: C. Information and Intelligence Management
,Rationale: Information and Intelligence Management involves the analysis and sharing of
information and intelligence within the ICS organization. This includes gathering data
from technical specialists such as meteorologists .
QUESTION 3
The Incident Commander or Unified Command establishes incident objectives that
include:
A. Delegating functional responsibilities and specifying resource types.
B. Establishing a manageable span of control.
C. Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the objectives.
D. Selecting personnel to serve on the Incident Management Team.
Answer: C. Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the
objectives.
Rationale: Incident objectives are established to guide the overall response. They include
strategies and tactics necessary to achieve the objectives .
QUESTION 4
Depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support facilities may
be established by:
A. the Logistics Section
B. Incident Command
C. the Planning Section
D. Local Authorities
Answer: B. Incident Command
Rationale: The Incident Commander or Unified Command establishes support facilities,
including Incident Command Posts, Bases, Camps, Staging Areas, and Helibases, based on
the incident's needs .
QUESTION 5
In a Unified Command, members representing multiple jurisdictions and agencies work
,together to establish:
A. Resource Allocations
B. Shared Agency Authority
C. Situational Awareness
D. Incident Objectives
Answer: C. Situational Awareness
Rationale: In a Unified Command, representatives from multiple agencies work together to
establish a common set of incident objectives, strategies, and a single Incident Action Plan
.
QUESTION 6
To ensure efficient, clear communication, the National Incident Management System
Characteristics recommend the use of:
A. Technical language
B. Acronyms
C. Common terminology
D. Agency-specific codes
Answer: C. Common terminology
Rationale: ICS requires the use of common terminology to ensure clear and efficient
communication among responders from different agencies and jurisdictions .
QUESTION 7
To ensure a smooth transfer, the outgoing Incident Commander should provide a(n)
___________ to the new Incident Commander.
A. Incident Action Plan
B. Situational Analysis Document
C. Lessons Learned Report
D. Briefing
Answer: D. Briefing
, Rationale: A transfer of command briefing is essential to ensure continuity and situational
awareness. The outgoing IC provides a briefing to the incoming IC .
QUESTION 8
Which ICS functional area tracks resources, collects and analyzes information, and
maintains documentation?
A. Logistics
B. Finance/Administration
C. Planning
D. Operations
Answer: C. Planning
Rationale: The Planning Section is responsible for tracking resources, collecting and
analyzing information, and maintaining incident documentation .
QUESTION 9
Which position is always staffed in ICS applications?
A. Operations Section Chief
B. Safety Officer
C. Public Information Officer
D. Incident Commander
Answer: D. Incident Commander
Rationale: The Incident Commander is the only position that is always staffed in ICS
applications. This person has overall responsibility for managing the incident .
QUESTION 10
Who designates the process for transferring command?
A. The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
B. The Command Staff
C. The Section Chiefs
D. The Incident Commander for previous operational period