During an incident, who is responsible for the safety of the personnel involved?

The incident commander holds the ultimate responsibility for the safety of all personnel involved in an incident. This individual oversees the entire emergency response operation, making critical decisions and ensuring that safety protocols are implemented and followed. The incident commander is tasked with assessing the situation, determining the necessary resources, and providing clear directives while maintaining situational awareness. By prioritizing the safety of responders, the incident commander helps prevent injuries or accidents that could arise during the course of the response.

Other roles within the incident management system, such as the operations chief, logistics chief, and planning chief, each have specific responsibilities that contribute to the overall operation but do not have the overarching accountability for personnel safety in the way the incident commander does. The operations chief focuses on tactical operations, the logistics chief manages resources and support, and the planning chief is involved in developing strategies and documentation. While all these roles play a significant part in ensuring a successful incident response, the incident commander is the key figure who directly oversees and facilitates the safety of everyone on scene.