What is the primary responsibility of the Incident Commander?

The primary responsibility of the Incident Commander is overall incident management. This role encompasses directing all aspects of the incident response, ensuring that all operations are coordinated effectively, and maintaining a clear command structure. The Incident Commander takes the lead in assessing the situation, developing an incident action plan, and making critical decisions regarding the safety of personnel, the effectiveness of operations, and resource utilization.

While managing tactical operations, strategizing resource allocation, and coordinating with external agencies are all important tasks often performed during an incident; these responsibilities fall under the broader umbrella of overall incident management. The Incident Commander must integrate these various elements to achieve a coordinated and effective response to the incident, ensuring that all actions align with the established objectives and goals. This overarching authority and responsibility are what define the role of the Incident Commander in emergency response scenarios.