Who holds overall responsibility for managing the on-scene incident?

The Incident Commander holds overall responsibility for managing the on-scene incident. This role is crucial in coordinating all aspects of incident response, from establishing objectives to managing resources. The Incident Commander ensures that incident strategies align with the operational goals, making them key in directing tactics and decision-making on-site.

The Incident Commander also serves as the main point of contact for stakeholders and external agencies, integrating their needs into the response efforts. This position requires comprehensive situational awareness and leadership skills to effectively respond to evolving incident dynamics.

In contrast, other roles like the Operations Section Chief focus specifically on executing the incident action plan within their section. The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring safety conditions and developing measures to ensure the safety of all personnel. The Public Information Officer manages communication with the media and public, providing updates and information but without the overarching responsibility of incident management. Hence, the distinct role of the Incident Commander as the ultimate authority on-scene is emphasized in this structure.