Who is responsible for the overall management of the incident in ICS?

The Incident Commander is responsible for the overall management of the incident within the Incident Command System (ICS). This position holds the ultimate authority and is tasked with overseeing the incident’s strategic objectives, establishing incident priorities, and ensuring the safety of personnel involved in the response. The Incident Commander is the one who makes final decisions regarding resource allocation, operational tactics, and communication with other involved agencies or stakeholders.

In ICS, each section chief—such as Operations, Planning, and Logistics—has specific responsibilities and focuses on their area of expertise. The Operations Section Chief manages the tactical response to the incident but does so under the guidance and direction of the Incident Commander. Similarly, the Planning Section Chief is responsible for gathering and analyzing information about the incident, while the Logistics Section Chief manages the supply and resource needs. However, these roles support the Incident Commander, who maintains the broader perspective and leadership necessary to manage the overall emergency response effectively.