Planning is responsible for all aspects of on-site operations, technical interface and integration, and gathering information and generating reports prior to, during and post-deployment for the Task Force. Planning utilizes NIMS and ICS requirements to plan, track, analyze and collect information for reports, asset and personnel tracking. The Plans Sections Chief reports directly to the Incident Commander and serve as the liaison between the TF and Incident Support Team. The Planning members attend all planning meetings and briefings with IST; advance information gathered from TF crews, put together a Plan of Action for the next working period, then brief the various TF disciplines and make assignments as necessary. Planning gathers information, generates reports, tracks personnel, plans works cycles, create travel routes for the TF while deploying and returning to the Home Base, and uses all types of information gathered while deployed to create an After Action Report to submit to the Program Office as part of the Reimbursement process.

Some of the benefits of planning are:

-make the best use of available Task Force resources,

-reduce duplicate efforts amongst Task Forces,

-reduce response costs to the Task Force and Sponsoring Agency,

-increase effectiveness of the operation,

-improve overall communications,

-provide agency direction, and

-ensure SAFETY for all Task Force members.

Some of the responsibilities of the planning section are:

-assess the current situation and try to anticipate changes in status,

-develop tactical and strategic objectives; both short and long term;

-plan ahead for the next operating cycle,

-implement a Plan of Action based of needs, resources, and capabilities,

-evaluate information gathered during the Operating Period, and

-thoroughly document all TF activities during each deployment.