The ICS 204 Assignment List is the one document oncoming responders are eager to read because it outlines where they’re assigned and what they’re assigned to do.

• While the responder headed to the field will gravitate toward the ICS 204, leaders who are managing the incident will gravitate toward the ICS 201 since it outlines the over-arching direction of the response.

Every Branch or Group activated for the response should have their own ICS 204 filled out and a copy provided to each resource leader.

Form Contents

Besides detailing the work assignment – derived from the Incident Objectives and the ICS 215 – it prompts for phone and radio contact information for those in the chain of command, a safety message and a list of others assigned to the same Group or Branch.

The work assignments should be in writing and include descriptions that include:

1. Where the assignment takes place
2. What period the assignment takes place
3. What the actual assignment is (this is usually a refined version of one of the objectives)
4. What resources, from where and how many are assigned to the task
5. How the assigned resources will communicate to each other and to other event participants
6. What Risk Management considerations and special instructions apply
7. What general Situational Awareness message is applicable
8. Indication of any attachments (maps, flyers, media talking points, etc.)
9. Who approved the work assignment

Common Trap

A common trap is to add multiple tasks to one task assignment form to ‘clear the shelves’ of items to do.

The science of failing to accomplish too many things at once aka “multitasking” is pretty clear. 

Therefore:

Assign a task, not a ‘multi task.’