What is the term used for the number of individuals or resources an incident supervisor can manage effectively?

The term that describes the number of individuals or resources an incident supervisor can manage effectively is known as the span of control. This concept is crucial in incident management because it defines the optimal number of subordinates that can be supervised effectively without compromising the ability to lead, communicate, and make decisions.

In incident response scenarios, maintaining an effective span of control ensures that supervisors can provide adequate attention and support to their teams, facilitating coordinated efforts, quick decision-making, and efficient resource allocation. A span of control that is too large may lead to oversight and decreased effectiveness, while a span that is too small may not fully utilize available resources.

Other options, while related to organizational structure and command dynamics, do not specifically quantify the number of direct reports a supervisor can manage. The chain of command refers to the hierarchy of authority and responsibility within an organization. A control group typically pertains to experimental settings rather than management structures. Delegation of authority involves assigning responsibilities to subordinates but does not denote the number of individuals that can be effectively managed at one time. Thus, span of control distinctly addresses the manageable scope of supervision within an incident command framework.