# Why Incident Command Training Is So Important

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fire-engineering-podcast-network-1075754/why-incident-command-training-is-so-important
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fire-engineering-podcast-network-1075754/why-incident-command-training-is-so-important.md
Podcast: [Fire Engineering Podcast Network](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fire-engineering-podcast-network-1075754)
Published: 2026-05-15T23:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://fireengineeringpodcastnetwork.podbean.com/e/why-incident-command-training-is-so-important/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jsrssr6rm2t7hp69/FE_-_20260515_-_The_Training_Officerbosv9.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fire-engineering-podcast-network-1075754/episodes/why-incident-command-training-is-so-important
Duration seconds: 3397

## Resource

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.

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## Transcript

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