Who designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command?

Question

Question: Who designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command?

Options:

1. The Section Chiefs
2. The Incident Commander for previous operational period
3. The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
4. The Command Staff

Answer 1

3. The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident

The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command.

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Context:

An effective Incident Commander must be assertive, decisive, objective, calm, and a quick thinker. To handle all of the responsibilities of this role, the Incident Commander also needs to be adaptable, flexible, and realistic about his or her limitations.

As additional responders arrive, command will transfer on the basis of who has primary authority for overall control of the incident. As incidents grow in size or become more complex, the responsible jurisdiction or agency may assign a more highly qualified Incident Commander. At transfer of command, the outgoing Incident Commander must give the incoming Incident Commander a full briefing and notify all staff of the change in command.