On the incident timeline, when is time zero established?

Time zero on the incident timeline is established when firefighters arrive on the scene. This is a critical point because it marks the official beginning of the operational response to the incident. At this moment, the situation assessment starts, and incident management begins to unfold.

Establishing time zero at this point allows the Incident Commander (IC) and response teams to track response times, resource allocation, and the dynamics of the incident from the moment firefighters are present on the scene. It provides a clear reference for all subsequent operational activities and decision-making, contributing to an organized and efficient response to the incident.

Understanding when time zero is set is crucial for the effective management of resources and for determining operational phases of the response, which can be evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness in post-incident reviews. This reference point helps to maintain a structured timeline of events, which can be essential for after-action evaluations and for improving future responses.