ICS - Finance/Admin Function

The Finance section monitors the cost of the incident and everything else related to money. While this section rarely deals with the fire communications we hear over the air, I will include it here to help explain just how the money gets to pay for everything.

The Finance section is split into 4 units, the Time Unit, Procurement Unit, Compensation/Claims Unit and the Cost Unit.

Personnel time recording basically records the times each firefighter and employee on the incident was on and off the incident so they can be paid accordingly. The Time unit is payroll basically. VERY important to the average firefighter to get that overtime ;)

California has plenty of "contract" equipment that includes private dozers, watertenders etc. These extra resources are vary valuable to the incident. They are usually local and can arrive on scene quickly to help out. It's also nice to support the local businesses etc. Finance makes sure it is feasible to contract out equipment and how much money is spent there.

An incident is usually very hazardous. Lots of sprained ankles and minor injuries but every one has to be treated to the fullest extent. If not, and complications arise later because of that, lawsuits can start flying. The Compensation/Claims unit takes care of all claims, records and worker's comp issues. Don't forget the homeowners that sue the firedepartment for not saving their house (yeah, try clearing the brush next time!). All lawsuits, from public or inner department go through the finance team for that particular incident.

Incident cost is very important. CDF has gotten much better at the philosophy of sending everything to protect life and property and then cut back later once there is no danger and do the paperwork. No matter what though, you gotta keep track of the cost of the incident. Air Tankers cost money - pulling fire engines from the other end of the state costs money. Renting facilities, resources, hoses, food, everything costs money. This is where it's all kept track.