Onshore Incident Commander

Onshore Incident Commander is a Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) certified course designed to provide formal training in command and control, communications, incident management, and stress-related factors in the management of major onshore emergencies and incidents.

The programme is intended for personnel who are designated to take charge of, participate in, or support an emergency management team during an emergency. It also provides initial emergency and incident management training for personnel undertaking a training and competence pathway to progress into the Onshore Incident Commander role.

The course introduces delegates to the Incident Command System (ICS) framework and demonstrates how it can support a structured approach to assigning functional tasks, managing resources, coordinating communications, and responding to incidents regardless of cause, location, or complexity.

Training includes classroom study, tabletop discussions, command centre simulations, continuous observation, post-exercise debriefs, and formal feedback on individual and team performance.

This course is intended for personnel who are responsible for, participate in, or support onshore emergency and incident management activities, including:

• Onshore Incident Commanders
• Personnel designated to take command during onshore emergencies
• Emergency management team members
• Incident management team members
• Emergency response managers and coordinators
• Facility managers or senior site personnel with emergency command responsibilities
• Personnel progressing toward the Onshore Incident Commander role

The course is delivered over 5 days at PT Samson Tiara’s Cilegon training facility or on-site at the client’s facility. The maximum number of delegates per Onshore Incident Commander training programme is 10 delegates.

Following classroom study, delegates enter a command centre simulator where they will experience the role of Onshore Incident Commander during realistic major emergency scenarios. Tabletop discussions are used to prepare delegates for some scenarios, while other scenarios may be presented without prior knowledge to test command decision-making under pressure.

To successfully complete this course, delegates must be able to:

• Review, manage, and assess information available during an emergency situation in a timely manner.
• Establish common processes for planning and managing resources.
• Implement predetermined emergency or incident plans and procedures in the context of the current emergency or incident.
• Communicate information and instructions efficiently.
• Keep appropriate agencies informed through the support of the Incident Management Team.
• Monitor and control resources.
• Evaluate progress and communicate changes in plans and priorities.
• Delegate authority effectively and manage individuals and teams.
• Recognise and deal with stress in themselves and others.

Module 1: Theory of Major Emergency / Incident Management

• Major Emergencies
• The Onshore Incident Commander Role
• Incident Command Post Facilities and Information Management
• Value and Purpose of Emergency / Incident Preparedness
• Dealing with Stress
• Managing Incident Briefing and Time-out Proforma

Module 2: Practical Elements of Major Emergency / Incident Management

• Assessing the Situation
• Taking Effective Action
• Maintaining Communications
• Delegating Authority
• Managing Self and Team
• Managing the Team Using the Incident Briefing and Time-out Proforma

Each delegate must be observed in at least three command centre simulations in the Onshore Incident Commander position. Evaluation is carried out through continuous observation of delegate performance during each period acting as Onshore Incident Commander.

Scenario simulations are based around major incidents selected from the following types:

• Type A: a major emergency that is readily controllable if managed appropriately.
• Type B: a major emergency that could escalate if not controlled.
• Type C: a major emergency that the Onshore Incident Commander is unable to control, leading to full evacuation of the facility.

Post-exercise debriefs are conducted after scenario exercises. An assessor will provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of individual and team performance, including any findings related to the delegate’s current managerial knowledge and capability for commanding the response to a major emergency.

There are no specific prerequisites for the Onshore Incident Commander training programme. However, delegates should be able to demonstrate suitable exposure to emergency or incident management within their area of responsibility or sphere of influence.

Delegates who successfully complete the course and meet the required performance standards will receive:

• PT Samson Tiara Onshore Incident Commander certificate.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Onshore Incident Commander certificate.
• Laminated wallet course qualification card.