Who is responsible for on-scene incident activities and developing objectives?

The Incident Commander is responsible for on-scene incident activities and for developing objectives during an emergency response. This role is critical as it involves setting the overall strategy for the incident, including defining the objectives and coordinating resources to achieve those goals. The Incident Commander takes charge of the situation, ensuring that all aspects of the incident are managed effectively, which includes assessing the dynamics of the incident, implementing safety protocols, and communicating with various units involved.

The Incident Commander serves as the primary decision-maker and leader among the various teams operating at the scene. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of the incident type, available resources, and the needs of those affected. The Incident Commander must be able to adapt objectives as the incident evolves, which is key to achieving a successful resolution.

General Staff, Command Staff, and Section Chief roles provide support and specific expertise but do not have the overarching responsibility for incident management and objective-setting that falls squarely on the Incident Commander.