Episode
Why Incident Command Training Is So Important
- Published
- May 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3397
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Summary
On this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down with David Polikoff, a retired battalion chief from Montgomery County, Maryland, to discuss the critical need for structured incident command training. Polikoff shares how his experience at the National Fire Academy revealed a widespread lack of confidence among officers managing high-stress scenes. In order to bridge this gap, he developed a "crawl, walk, run" training methodology that utilizes simulation software and portable radios to build muscle memory before officers ever step onto a real fireground. They dive deep into into the practicalities of scene management, emphasizing the use of tactical worksheets and the delegation of authority through divisions and groups.