Who is responsible for overall management of the incident?

The individual responsible for overall management of the incident is the Incident Commander. This role is crucial as the Incident Commander serves as the primary decision-maker and is accountable for the effective coordination of resources, strategies, and tactics in responding to the incident.

The Incident Commander’s responsibilities include establishing objectives, determining strategies to achieve those objectives, and ensuring that all response efforts are cohesive and directed towards a common goal. This person also communicates with external stakeholders, ensures safety protocols are observed, and keeps the incident organization structured and efficient.

While other roles such as the Logistics Section Chief, Finance Section Chief, and Operations Section Chief have important responsibilities within their respective areas, they function under the guidance of the Incident Commander. The Logistics Section Chief focuses on providing the necessary resources and support, the Finance Section Chief manages financial matters, and the Operations Section Chief implements the tactical operations necessary to achieve the objectives set by the Incident Commander. Therefore, the Incident Commander is the key player in directing the overall management of the incident.