Who establishes incident objectives that drive operations?

The establishment of incident objectives is a fundamental responsibility of the Incident Commander or Unified Commander. This individual has the authority to set strategic goals that guide the overall direction and operations of the incident response. The Incident Commander ensures that all activities align with these objectives, effectively coordinating resources and efforts across various sections and teams involved in the response.

While the Operations Section Chief plays a crucial role in managing tactical operations and implementing the objectives set by the Incident Commander, they do not establish those objectives themselves. Their focus is primarily on executing the plans developed by the Incident Commander and ensuring that operations are carried out effectively.

The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring safety conditions and ensuring that operations are conducted safely, but they do not set incident objectives. Similarly, the Public Information Officer manages communication and public messaging but does not influence operational objectives. The correct answer highlights the Incident Commander or Unified Commander's critical role in defining the strategic direction of the incident response.