Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety of responders?

The Incident Commander holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of responders during an incident. This role encompasses overseeing all aspects of the incident response, including the safety of personnel involved. The Incident Commander has the authority to make critical decisions that directly impact responder safety, including determining operational strategies and allocating resources effectively.

While the Safety Officer plays a key role in monitoring and ensuring safety protocols are followed, and the Logistics Chief provides essential support and resources, it is the Incident Commander who holds the final accountability for the safety of all responders. The Planning Section Chief contributes by assessing the situation and gathering information, but the Incident Commander integrates these insights into a broader safety strategy. Ultimately, effective incident management relies on the Incident Commander's leadership to ensure a safe working environment for everyone involved.