When the number of divisions and groups exceeds the operations section chief's span of control, he or she may establish:

When the number of divisions and groups exceeds the span of control of the operations section chief, establishing branches is an effective method to manage the complexity and ensure efficient coordination. The span of control, typically limited to a maximum of five to seven subordinates, can become unmanageable as the incident scale and number of operational components grow.

By creating branches, the operations section chief can delegate authority to branch directors, allowing for more manageable oversight of multiple divisions or groups within a larger incident. This hierarchical structure promotes effective communication and decision-making, which is crucial in emergency situations where clear leadership and rapid response are vital.

In contrast, while units, companies, and crews each serve specific functions within emergency operations, they do not provide the same level of organizational structure needed when dealing with an extensive incident. Units generally refer to smaller teams or specialized functions within a division, companies often relate to fire service apparatus and personnel, and crews typically denote smaller teams focused on specific tasks, which may still place demands on the section chief's span of control without adequately addressing scalability in complex scenarios.