Information Briefing

1. Purpose
   The information briefing is used to inform the listener. This briefing deals primarily with facts, not conclusions or recommendations. Use it to present high priority information requiring immediate attention; complex information involving complicated plans, systems, statistics or charts; and controversial information requiring elaboration and explanation. The following format works well for an information briefing.
2. Introduction
1. Greeting. Use courtesy, address the person(s) receiving the briefing and identify yourself.
2. Purpose. Explain the purpose and scope.
3. Procedure. Indicate procedure if briefing involves demonstration, display or tour.
4. Prepare to answer questions at any time.
3. Body
1. Arrange main ideas in logical sequence.
2. Use visual aids correctly.
3. Plan effective transitions.
4. Prepare to answer questions at any time.
4. Close
1. Ask for questions.
2. Give closing statement.
3. Announce the next briefer, if applicable.

1. Use the mission briefing under operational conditions to impart information, to give specific instructions or to instill an appreciation of the mission.
2. In an operational situation or when the mission is of a critical nature, it may become necessary to provide individuals or smaller units with more data than incident action plans or general orders provide. You may do this by means of the mission briefing. The mission briefing reinforces orders, provides more detailed requirements and instructions for individuals, and provides an explanation of the significance of their individual role. You must present this type of briefing with care to ensure that it does not cause confusion of conflict with plans and orders.
3. One person usually conducts the mission briefing. This person may be the Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Division Group Supervisor, Module Leader or a special representative, depending on the nature of the mission or the level of the incident.
4. There is no prescribed format for the mission briefing. It should possess the Briefing ABCs: accuracy, brevity, and clarity. In some cases you may use the briefing checklist provided in the IRPG (SMECS) if it doesn't result in unnecessary repetition.
   

Decision Briefing

1. Purpose
   A decision briefing is intended to obtain an answer or a decision. Personnel use this briefing for most strategic and/or tactical matters requiring command decisions from higher authority.
2. Introduction
1. Greeting. Use courtesy, address the person(s) receiving the briefing and identify yourself.
2. Purpose. State that the purpose of the briefing is to obtain a decision and announce the problem statement.
3. Procedure. Explain any special procedures such as a trip to outlying facilities or introduction of an additional briefer.
4. Coordination. Indicate accomplishment of any coordination.
5. Classification. State the classification of the briefing.
3. Body
1. Assumptions. Must be valid, relevant and necessary.
2. Facts bearing on the problem. Must be supportable, relevant and necessary.
3. Discussion. Analyze courses of action. Plan for smooth transition.
4. Conclusions. Degree of acceptance or the order of merit of each course of action.
5. Recommendation(s). State action(s) recommended. Must be specific, not a solicitation of opinion.
4. Close
1. Ask for questions.
2. Request a decision.
5. Follow-up

Staff Briefing (General)

1. Purpose
   The staff briefing is to secure a coordinated or unified effort. This briefing may involve the exchange of information, the announcement of decisions, the issuance of directives or the presentation of guidance. The staff briefing may include the characteristics of the information, decision and mission briefings.
2. Procedures
1. Staff briefings are normally scheduled on a periodic basis. The attendees are usually the Incident Commander (IC), the Deputy IC, Command and General Staff. Sometimes subordinate staffs may attend.
2. The Plans Section Chief usually presides over the staff briefing. This person opens the briefing by identifying the purpose of the briefing and reviewing the mission assigned; then restates the IMT's mission and gives the IC's concept, if applicable; then calls on command and general staff officers to brief their areas of responsibility. The IC usually concludes the briefing, and may even take an active part throughout the presentation.
3. Situation Briefing
   The tactical situation briefing is a form of staff briefing used to inform persons not familiar with the situation at the level at which the briefing is taking place. The briefing goes back in time as far as necessary to present the full picture.
4. Update Briefing
   When the main intent of regularly scheduled staff briefings is to achieve coordinated effort within, the substance of each staff officer's presentation should only involve updating of material previously presented.