Why Incident Action Plans Matter

This episode is hosted by Josh Blum, Chris Stewart, and John Vance.

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This episode was recorded on August 15, 2025 in Orlando, Florida at Fire Rescue International.

The B-Shifters explore why incident action plans matter for fireground operations and firefighter safety, emphasizing the importance of a single, coordinated approach versus multiple disconnected plans.

• Incident action plans require proper size-up, evaluation of critical factors, risk management, and strategy selection before implementation
• “Size-up plus three” helps company officers think about what their company will do and what the next 2-3 companies should do
• IAPs must be continuously evaluated and revised based on changing conditions
• Command transfers require clear communication about the current plan and whether it should continue or change
• Effective IAPs must adapt to resource limitations, including staffing challenges
• Task, location, and objective assignments provide clear responsibilities for companies
• A poor plan directly impacts safety and effectiveness on the fireground

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