Fire Terminology

Major Incident Command Team

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has developed Major Incident Command Teams (ICT) to manage large complex incidents. CAL FIRE maintains 10 Incident Command Teams, five in the Northern Region and five in the Southern Region. Each day of the year two CAL FIRE Incident Command Teams are ready for deployment anywhere in the state, or outside of California if requested.

A Major Incident Command Team consists of 16 highly trained and certified individuals and 10 trainees that, as a team, provide incident management skills for any type of disaster, regardless of location. Each team includes members with the experience and skills to fill responsibilities including incident commander, planning, finance, logistics, safety, information, and air operations to name a few.

The CAL FIRE MICT works under the direction of the local jurisdiction having statutory responsibility for the incident. If it is a wildland fire on State Responsibility Area (SRA) then CAL FIRE is the lead for all activities in the suppression effort. If a wildland fire were to occur on both SRA and federal lands, then a unified command may occur. If, however, it is an earthquake or hazardous materials spill within an urban area, CAL FIRE may be called in to assist in the management of the incident, but the overall lead would be the local agency of jurisdiction.

CAL FIRE MICTs manage large complex wildland fires on a regular basis as well as major hazardous materials incidents, flood fighting operations, earthquakes and other incidents or activities needing a management structure.

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