What is the primary function of the Safety Officer in incident management?

The primary function of the Safety Officer in incident management is to ensure the safety of personnel. This role is crucial because the Safety Officer is responsible for identifying hazardous situations and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed during an incident. They monitor the operational environment, assess risks, and implement measures to mitigate dangers to responders. This focus on personnel safety is essential in maintaining operational effectiveness and preventing injuries or fatalities during emergency response operations.

While the other roles mentioned are important in incident management—like coordinating logistics resources or managing information release—they are secondary to the critical need for safety. The primary goal in any emergency response is to protect the lives of firefighters and other emergency personnel, making the Safety Officer's role vital in achieving that objective.