If you are studying for FEMA courses, getting ready for an ICS exam, or working as a first responder in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, or any country that uses the Incident Command System, you’ve probably come across the question: “Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing?” This question appears in many ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300 tests because it checks whether you understand one of the key meetings during an incident. The correct answer is simple: The operational period briefing is a meeting where the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the next operational period is explained to supervisors.
It is usually led by the Planning Section Chief and takes place at the beginning of each new shift, often every 12 or 24 hours. Understanding what the operational period briefing is helps you pass your exams — and even more importantly, it helps keep everyone informed and safe during real emergencies. If you are studying for a test or working as a firefighter, police officer, or EMS person, you have probably seen this question: source1.
Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing?
The answer is very simple. The operational period briefing is a short meeting that gives the new plan to the bosses right before their shift starts.
It is not a long meeting. It is not for everyone. It is just the moment when the leaders get the new work plan for the next few hours.
What Really Happens in This Meeting?
Every big emergency is split into short work periods – usually 12 hours. When one team finishes and a new team comes in, someone has to tell the new bosses what to do.
That someone is normally the Planning Section Chief. He or she stands up and says:
- This is what is happening right now.
- These are the main goals for the next 12 hours.
- This is your job, and this is my job.
- Stay safe – watch out for these dangers.
- Use this radio channel.
- Any questions?After that, the new shift starts work. That whole talk is the operational period briefing source
Who Comes to the Meeting?
Only the bosses come. Examples:
- The fire captain
- The police sergeant
- The medical team leader
- Anyone who has people under themRegular workers do not go to this meeting. They hear the plan from their own boss after the meeting ends.
Why Is This Meeting So Important?
When everyone knows the plan, fewer bad things happen. People do not get hurt because they did not know about the danger.Teams do not waste time because they know exactly what to do. That is why every test asks Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing. They want to be sure you understand this easy but super-important step.
Easy Way to Remember the Right Answer
Just remember four short words:
Plan – Bosses – New The meeting gives the plan to the bosses for the new shift. If an answer has those ideas, it is correct.source2
A Real-Life Example: The Flood Rescue
Last summer, a big flood hit a small town. Rescue teams worked 12-hour shifts day after day. Every morning at 6 a.m. and every evening at 6 p.m., all the captains and lieutenants went into a big tent. The Planning Chief pointed at a map and said, “Today, we save these three streets first. Be careful of the fast water here.” Ten minutes later, everyone knew their job and ran to their boats and trucks. That short tent meeting was the operational period briefing. It kept the whole rescue safe and fast for five whole days.
Different Names, Same Meeting
People sometimes call it different things. Some say “shift briefing,” some say “ops briefing,” and some just say “the morning meeting.” It does not matter what name they use. If the meeting happens right before the new team starts work and gives the plan to the bosses, it is the operational period briefing. So, when you see the test question Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing, always pick the answer that talks about giving the plan to supervisors.
It Works for Small Calls Too
Even a simple car crash uses the same idea. The first fire truck gets there. Ten minutes later, another truck arrives. The first captain quickly tells the new captain, “Cut the red car first. Watch the gasoline on the road. Use radio channel 2.” That two-minute talk is a tiny operational period briefing. The idea is always the same: make sure the next boss knows the plan fast.
Easy to Explain to Kids
This meeting is so simple that even kids get it. It is like a soccer coach before the second half of the game. The coach does not talk to every player on the field. The coach talks to the two or three captains. Then the captains tell their teammates. Everyone gets the same plan super quick. The operational period briefing is exactly like that, just for firefighters, police, and medics instead of soccer players3.
FAQs
Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing?
It is the short meeting where the Planning Section Chief gives the new work plan to all the bosses right before their shift starts. Only leaders come, and the meeting makes sure everyone knows what to do and stays safe.
Who runs the operational period briefing?
The Planning Section Chief runs it most of the time. Other chiefs can talk too, but the Planning Chief is in charge of the meeting.
Do all workers have to go to this meeting?
No. Only bosses and leaders go. After the meeting, they tell their own teams what to do.
How long does the meeting last?
Usually 15 to 30 minutes. It has to be fast so people can start helping right away.
Conclusion
Which Of The Following Best Describes The Operational Period Briefing? It is the meeting that presents the Incident Action Plan to the supervisors at the start of each new work period . That is the answer you need for your test, and it is the same answer used every day by real fire, police, and medical teams all over the world. Have you ever been to one of these meetings? Was it quick and clear? Tell us below – your story helps others learn!
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References
- EssayCorp – Operational Period Briefing: https://www.essaycorp.com/blog/operational-period-briefing-overview ↩︎
- Transtutors – Easy Test Help: https://www.transtutors.com/questions/1-which-of-the-following-best-describes-the-operational-period-briefing-a-helps-keep-11172845.htm ↩︎
- Weegy – Simple ICS Answers: https://www.weegy.com/?ConversationId=DTHTELXJ ↩︎
