Glossary of Terms
- Qudsia.Khan
This is a comprehensive guide to enhance the understanding and communication of key terms and concepts among regional TEAMS coordinators and members. This resource is curated to support a seamless onboarding experience, fostering a collaborative and efficient response to emergencies and disasters in the province.
A |
Activation
When a natural disaster, emergency or an event forces a community to evacuate and the Indigenous governing body or local authority begin their ESS plan.
Allocated Resources
Resources that have been identified and dispatched to a specific incident or event, but may not yet be actively engaged in specific tasks at the incident.
Assigned Resources
Resources checked in and assigned work tasks on an incident.
Assignment
The tasks given to resources to perform within a specified operational period, guided by the tactical objectives outlined in the Incident Action Plan.
Atmospheric River Event
A situation where there is very heavy rainfall, leading to floods and landslides. In November 2021, an Atmospheric River Event (ARE) with intense rainfall caused floods and landslides affecting 62 First Nations and local authorities in southern and south-central British Columbia.
Available Resources
Incident-based resources that are prepared and ready for deployment as needed during an incident.
B |
B.C. Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS)
A comprehensive management system that makes sure the province can respond and recover effectively in any emergency. It covers various aspects such as operations, control, qualifications, technology, training, and publications.
The BCERMS Training Curriculum
A comprehensive set of training modules that includes instructor guides, visuals, exercises, tests, and student materials. These modules collectively cover all aspects of BCERMS operations and support activities.
BC Wildfire Service
Operated by the Ministry of Forests, the BC Wildfire Service helps train and deploy local government fire departments, offering additional support in managing wildfires.
Branch
In the context of incident management, a branch is a specific level of organization that oversees major parts of incident operations based on either functions or geographic areas.
C |
Cache
A pre-determined collection of tools, equipment, and/or supplies stored in a designated location, readily available for use during an incident.
Camp
A geographical site within the general incident area, distinct from the Incident Base, equipped and staffed to provide accommodations, food, water, and sanitary services to incident personnel.
Check-in
The process by which resources initially report to an incident. Check-in locations include the Incident Command Post (Resources Unit), Incident Base, Camps, Staging Areas, etc.
Chain of Command
A series of management positions arranged by their level of authority.
Chief
The title for individuals responsible for the command and/or management of functional sections, such as Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The term Chief is used at all BCERM levels.
Child Activity Area
A unit within the operations section that ensures a secure environment for childcare at a Reception Centre (RC).
Command
The action of guiding and/or overseeing resources based on explicit legal, organizational, or delegated authority.
Community Navigator
An individual chosen by the community to serve as a link between the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Emergency Support Services (ESS), support agencies, and evacuees. They advocate for evacuees and help find solutions to unique or complex needs.
Coordination
The systematic process of analyzing a situation, gathering relevant information, and informing the appropriate command/management authority of possible options to choose the most effective combination of available resources to meet specific objectives.
Critical Resource
Materials, personnel, and finances that are in limited supply and are required by more than one incident management team or for high-priority assignments. When a particular resource is in demand by multiple agencies or jurisdictions, and the available quantity is limited, it can be designated as a "Critical Resource" by the EOC Director, PREOC Director, or PECC Director. All requests for "Critical Resources" must receive approval from the EOC Director, PREOC Director, or PECC Director.
D |
Disaster
A catastrophic event caused by accident, fire, explosion, technical failure, or natural forces that leads to significant harm to people's health, safety, or welfare, or widespread damage to property.
Deputy
A capable person who may be given the authority to oversee a functional operation or carry out a specific task.
Dispatch
The execution of a command decision to move a resource or resources from one location to another.
Dispatch Centre
A facility responsible for assigning resources to an incident.
Division
An organizational unit used to partition an incident into geographical areas of operation. Positioned within the Incident Command System (ICS) between the Branch and the Task Force/Strike Team, divisions are identified by alphabetic characters for horizontal applications and, frequently, by floor numbers when applicable to buildings.
Documentation Unit
A unit within the planning section that is responsible for gathering, recording, and safeguarding all relevant documents related to the response.
E |
Emergency
An impending event or situation caused by accident, fire, explosion, technical failure, or natural forces that demands immediate coordination of actions or specific regulations for individuals or property to safeguard people's health, safety, or welfare and minimize damage to property.
Emergency Management
An organized initiative to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
EMCR serves as the primary coordinating agency in the Province for all emergency management activities, encompassing planning, training, testing, and exercises to enhance provincial preparedness. They provide assistance to Indigenous governing bodies in establishing emergency management and evacuee care programs, including Emergency Support Services (ESS), and maintain an office in each of the six EMCR regions.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Headquarters - EMCR (HQ)
EMCR HQ provides policy, training, operations, administration, and financial support for a comprehensive range of emergency management activities. It is responsible for developing the overall strategy to enhance Emergency Support Services (ESS) capacity throughout the province.
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
A designated facility established by an organization or jurisdiction to coordinate the overall response and support to an emergency.
Emergency Program Act
Legislation responsible for carrying out the powers and duties vested in it under this Act or by the minister.
Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC)
The individual within a community responsible for coordinating jurisdictional emergency management.
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
The plan that each jurisdiction has and maintains for responding to incidents based on hazard and risk analysis.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
An emergency response program delivered by Indigenous governing bodies and local authorities to meet the basic needs of British Columbians affected by disasters and provide short-term services to evacuees in emergency situations.
Emotional Support Unit (ESU)
A unit within the operations section responsible for providing counselling services to evacuees and ESS personnel.
ESS Activation Levels
Distinguished by impact and the type of ESS resources needed.
Level One: A localized event managed using minimal ESS resources (e.g., single house fire).
Level Two: An event requiring the full use of ESS resources, possibly including the activation of a Reception Centre (RC) and/or an EOC (e.g., fire in an apartment complex).
Level Three: An emergency exceeding the capacity of an Indigenous governing body or local authority, requiring assistance or mutual aid from neighbouring jurisdictions and/or the Province (e.g., wildfire causing an entire community to evacuate).
ESS Branch Coordinator
Within all levels of the BCEMS organizational structure (EOC, PREOC and PECC) there is an ESS branch in the operations section. The coordinator is focussed on the support and requirements of the ESS program at each respective level of operations.
ESS Director (ESSD)
The individual responsible for the management and coordination of a local ESS program/team, including planning and response activities.
ESS Support Organization
The term used to designate assisting and cooperating organizations.
Environment
Air, land, water and all other external conditions or influences under which humans, animals and plants live or develop.
Environmental Emergency Program (EEP)
Leads the Province’s response to hazardous material spills and other environmental emergencies.
Evacuation Alert
Informs the affected population of a potential or current threat which may lead to an Evacuation Order.
Evacuation Order
Issued when local community leaders determine that the safety of the population is best ensured by leaving the specified area immediately.
Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) Tool
A digital tool that supports the delivery of the ESS program.
Event
An event refers to a planned, non-emergency activity. The Incident Command System (ICS) can be utilized as the management system for a diverse range of events, such as parades, concerts, or sporting events, to ensure organized and effective coordination.
F |
Finance/Administration
Responsible for financial activities and other administrative aspects.
First Aid Unit
A unit within the operations section responsible for providing emergency first aid.
First Nations Community Navigator
An individual identified by the community to serve as a link between the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Emergency Support Services (ESS), support agencies, and evacuees. A First Nations Community Navigator also possesses in-depth knowledge of the affected Indigenous peoples' culture, practices, and protocols.
Freshet
Commonly used to describe a snowmelt, it refers to an annual high-water event on rivers resulting from the melting of snow and river ice. In British Columbia, the timing of freshets is crucial, with variations observed over the years. In the Fraser River Basin, the annual freshet was observed 10 days earlier in 2006 compared to 1949.
Function
In BCEMS, function refers to the five major activities such as command/management, operations, planning, logistics, and finance. The term function is also used when describing specific activities, for example, the planning function. In some instances, sections, branches, and units are loosely referred to as functions as well.
G |
General Staff
A collective of management personnel reporting to the manager. The general staff includes the Operations section chief, Planning section chief, Logistics section chief, and Finance section chief.
Ground Support Unit
A team within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section that takes care of fueling, maintaining, and fixing of vehicles. They also handle the transportation of people and supplies on the ground during an incident.
Group
Groups are formed to split the incident into functional areas, each with a specific job. These groups are made up of resources put together to do a particular task, and they might not be limited to just one area. Groups help with efficient and coordinated efforts during the incident.
Group Lodging (GL)
A facility designed for the lodging and nourishment of evacuees, typically involving a congregated setting.
Group Lodging Manager
The person responsible for overseeing the overall management at the Group Lodging facility.
H |
Helibase
The main place where helicopters are parked, fueled, maintained, and loaded in support of an incident.
Helispot
Any assigned location where a helicopter can safely land and take off. Some helispots may also be used for loading and unloading supplies, equipment, personnel, and for medical evacuation.
I |
Incident
An event caused by humans or natural forces that needs response personnel to take action in order to prevent or minimize harm to people, property, and the environment, and to lessen economic and social losses.
Incident Action Plan
An Incident Action Plan (IAP) includes objectives that represent the overall incident strategy, along with specific tactical actions and supporting details for the upcoming operational period. The plan can be communicated orally or in writing. In written form, it may have various attachments such as a traffic plan, safety plan, communications plan, map, and more.
Incident Base
The place at the incident where the main logistics functions are organized and managed. The term "Base" will have the incident's name added to it. The Incident Command Post may be located together with the Base. There is only one Base for each incident.
Incident Commander/Manager
The person in charge of overseeing all operations at the site of the incident.
Incident Command Post (ICP)
The place where the main command tasks are carried out. The ICP might be in the same location as the incident base or other facilities related to the incident.
Incident Command System (ICS)
A structured, standardized way of managing emergencies; it helps users organize and respond to incidents, whether they are simple or complex, without being limited by location boundaries.
Incident Communications Centre
The place where the Communications Unit and the Message Centre are located.
Incident Complex
Two or more separate incidents situated in the same general area.
Incident Management Team
The Incident Commander along with relevant Command and General Staff personnel assigned to handle an incident.
Incident Name
In situations where multiple agencies are responding to a single incident, the agency with jurisdiction will give the incident a name (in clear text) using a common geographical or functional reference. All cooperating and assisting agencies will use the identified incident name.
Information Officer
A team member on the command/management staff tasked with communicating with the public, media, or other organizations needing information directly from the incident. Each incident has only one information officer, who may have assistants.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Responsible for providing services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. ISC works to support the well-being and advancement of Indigenous communities by addressing various aspects such as healthcare, education, social services, infrastructure, and economic development.
J |
Jurisdiction
The scope or area of authority. Agencies possess jurisdiction at an incident based on their legal responsibilities and authority for incident mitigation.
K |
Key Ministry
The provincial ministry/ministries tasked with coordinating the government's response to the occurrence of any hazards for which it holds responsibility as specified by regulation.
L |
Life-Safety
Refers to the combined consideration of both the life and physical well-being of individuals.
Logistics
The section responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and support to the incident.
M |
Management
Responsible for overall emergency policy and coordination; public information and media relations; agency liaison; and proper risk management procedures, through the joint efforts of local government agencies and private organizations.
Ministry Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC)
The Ministry Emergency Operations Centre serves as the provincial coordination centre for the resources of the ministry.
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) is British Columbia’s lead coordinating agency for all emergency management activities, including preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Mitigation
Mitigation involves reducing the risk of hazards to minimize the impact of disasters.
Mobilization: The process and procedures followed by all agencies and organizations when activating, assembling, and transporting all resources requested to respond to or support an incident.
Mobilization Centre: Locations off-incident where emergency service personnel and equipment are temporarily situated while awaiting transfer to the site. Note that this is not a staging area.
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Operations
Responsible for coordinating all jurisdictional operations in support of the emergency response through implementation of the jurisdiction’s Action Plan. Includes Branches, Divisions and / or Groups, Task Forces, Strike Teams, Single Resources, and Staging Areas.
Out-of-Service Resources
Resources that have been allocated to an incident but are temporarily unable to respond due to mechanical issues, the need for rest, or staffing reasons.
P |
Planning
Responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information. They create the Action Plan for the area and keep track of what's happening. They work together with other teams and handle all the paperwork at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Planning Meeting
A meeting that happens as necessary during an incident to decide on specific strategies and tactics for controlling the incident. This meeting also involves planning for services and support. On larger incidents, the planning meeting is a significant part of creating the Incident Action Plan.
Preparedness
The process of developing the capacity and capability to respond effectively when an emergency occurs. It focuses on learning from best practices and lessons of past incidents, both within British Columbia and globally.
Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre (PECC)
The PECC serves as a hub for coordinating resources, communication, requesting assistance from the provincial government, and reaching out to other provinces or the federal government for support.
Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre (PREOC)
During emergencies, Indigenous and local governments lead local responses, but if the situation exceeds their capacity, PREOCs can be activated for support. Staffed with emergency management professionals, PREOCs aid Indigenous and local governments in response planning, coordination, and logistics. There are six PREOCs in B.C., one in each EMBC region (PDF, 279 KB)
EMBC Regions |
 Regional districts for each region |
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Radio Cache
A collection of radios stored in a pre-determined location, ready to be assigned to incidents as needed.
Recorders
Individuals within BCERMS organizational units tasked with recording information. Recorders can be found in Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration Units.
Regional Coordinator
An individual responsible for overseeing the identification, recruitment, and deployment of Teams for Emergency Assistance, Management, and Support (TEAMS) talent within a specific geographic area.
Regional Duty Manager
In regional offices, a 24/7 duty position known as a regional duty manager (RDM) serves as the contact point for any approvals related to overages and expenditures.
Reporting Locations
Places or facilities where incoming resources can check in at the incident.
Resources
Personnel and equipment that are currently available or potentially available for assignment to incident(s). Resources are categorized by kind and type (e.g., ground, water, air) and may be utilized in tactical support or management roles at the incident(s).
Resources Unit
A unit within the Planning Section responsible for keeping track of the status of resources assigned to the incident. This unit also assesses the impact of additional responding resources on the incident(s) and anticipates resource needs.
Resource Request (RR)
A formal process for requesting additional resources to support emergency response and recovery efforts - can be found on WebEOC
Regional Staff
Regional staff include senior regional managers (SRM), regional managers (RM), emergency management technicians (EMT) and regional office administrators (ROA). Regional staff may support ESS by:
Acting as a contact point for EPCs, providing expert advice on regional issues and EMCR policy, processes and resources perspective.
Offering support and advice to communities about their emergency program planning, preparedness, and recovery activities.
Coordinating the integration of key regional partners or stakeholders.
Advising and supporting the development of ESS teams and plans.
Attending or supporting conferences, working groups and ESS events.
Hosting seasonal readiness information sessions.
Resourcing, capacity, and capability building within Indigenous governing bodies and local authorities.
Supporting the development of mutual aid or host community agreements.
Resource Priority Levels
All resource requests are categorized into the following priority levels:
Emergency: Involves situations with life-and-death urgency.
Priority: Essential to support operations within a specific time limit.
Routine: Supports regular operations.
Resource Status
Resources are classified into one of three status conditions:
Available
Assigned
Out of service
River Forecast Center
The River Forecast Centre analyses snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in British Columbia’s rivers and streams.
Risk Management
Risk management is the strategic process of identifying, assessing, and implementing measures to minimize adverse impacts from accidental or business losses within an organization.
S |
Safety Officer
A member of the Command Staff responsible for watching and evaluating safety hazards or unsafe situations. They develop measures to ensure the safety of personnel. The Safety Officer may have assistants.
Section
An organizational level with responsibility for a major functional area of the incident, such as Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration.
Segment
A geographical area where a task force/strike team leader or supervisor of a single resource has authority and responsibility for coordinating resources and implementing planned tactics. A segment can be a part of a division or an area inside or outside the incident perimeter, identified with Arabic numbers.
Service Branch
A branch within the Logistics Section that handles service activities, including the Communications, Medical, and Food Units.
Single Command
Single Command has one Incident Commander.
Single Resource
An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals with an identified work Supervisor that can be used on an incident.
Site Support Level
A coordination level within the BC Emergency Response Management System activated to provide policy direction and resource support to an Incident Commander.
Situation Unit
A unit within the Planning Section responsible for gathering, organizing, and analyzing incident status information. They also analyze the situation as it progresses.
Span of Control
To maintain supervisory levels within the command structure, an effective span of control is necessary. This refers to the range of 1 to 3 and 1 to 7 individuals reporting to a supervisory level. The optimum number of individuals reporting to the next higher supervisory level is considered to be within the range of 1 to 5.
Spills
Spills are typically classified into two categories:
Natural Occurrence Spills:
These spills result from natural events in the environment. For example, substances produced by organisms, like algae blooms, may mimic the appearance of chemical spills.
High streamflow events can also mobilize hazardous materials from riverbanks, contributing to spills.
Human-Induced Spills:
These spills occur due to human activities and are often associated with the release of substances used in various applications. Common examples include spills of flammable liquids like gasoline, diesel, and heating fuel.
These substances are widely used in transportation, heating, and machinery, making them more prone to accidental releases, which can have environmental and safety implications.
Staging Area
Locations set up at an incident where resources can be placed while waiting for a tactical assignment. Staging Areas are managed by a staging area manager in the Operations Section.
Strategy
The general plan or direction chosen to achieve incident objectives.
Strike Team
Specific combinations of the same kind and type of resources, sharing common communications and led by one leader. There should be no more than five of any specified combinations under one leader.
Subject Matter Expert (SME)
An individual who possesses significant knowledge, expertise, and experience in a particular field or subject.
Supervisor(s)
The ICS title for individuals responsible for the command of a Division or Group.
Supply Unit
A unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for ordering equipment and supplies required for incident(s).
Support Branch
A branch within the Logistics Section responsible for providing personnel, equipment, and supplies. This includes Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units.
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Unit(s)
The organizational element with functional responsibility for a specific Planning, Logistics, or Finance/Administration activity.
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WebEOC
A crisis information management system where resource requests are sent and provided to participating partners/agencies who are expected to respond during emergency events.
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