The __ are incident management personnel that the Incident Commander or Unified Command assign to directly support the command function.
A. Strike Team Leaders
B. Command Staff
C. Task Force Leaders
D. General Staff
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Command Staff.
Explanation:
In the Incident Command System (ICS), the Command Staff consists of specialized roles that support the Incident Commander (IC) or Unified Command (UC) by overseeing specific aspects of the incident. These roles directly assist with the command function, providing expertise in areas such as public information, safety, and liaison to other agencies or groups.
The Command Staff typically includes:
- Public Information Officer (PIO): Responsible for managing all incident-related communication and information flow to the public, media, and stakeholders.
- Safety Officer (SO): Ensures the safety of all personnel involved in the incident by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Liaison Officer (LO): Acts as the primary contact for external agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions, ensuring coordination and communication between responding entities.
- Incident Commander (IC): The person in charge of the overall management and decision-making process during an incident. In a Unified Command, the IC could be one of several leaders from different agencies or organizations.
The Command Staff supports the IC by managing their respective areas of responsibility and ensuring smooth coordination during the response to an incident. These roles are critical in ensuring that the IC has accurate information, maintains operational safety, and establishes effective communication channels between all involved parties.
In contrast, other ICS positions such as General Staff, Strike Team Leaders, and Task Force Leaders do not have the same direct command support role as the Command Staff. The General Staff is made up of individuals overseeing functional areas like operations, planning, logistics, and finance. Strike Team Leaders and Task Force Leaders are responsible for managing specific units or teams but do not directly support the command function as Command Staff members do.