Which Section organizes, assigns, and supervises tactical response resources?
A. Logistics
B. Finance/Administration
C. Planning
D. Operations
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. Operations.
In an Incident Command System (ICS), the Operations Section is responsible for organizing, assigning, and supervising tactical response resources. It plays a crucial role in managing the incident’s response operations and ensuring that the strategies developed in the planning phase are implemented effectively on the ground. The Operations Section handles all aspects of incident response, including executing tactics, coordinating field resources, and ensuring that resources are available and deployed where needed.
Explanation:
- Operations Section: This section is the core of the ICS when it comes to executing the operational plans. It includes all tactical operations needed to manage the incident and fulfill the incident objectives. The Operations Section is headed by the Operations Section Chief, who is responsible for organizing and directing resources in the field. This section manages all the personnel and equipment required to respond directly to the incident, such as firefighting teams, rescue squads, or medical teams, depending on the nature of the incident.
- Logistics Section: The Logistics Section supports the Operations Section by providing the necessary resources, such as personnel, equipment, supplies, and facilities. While Logistics plays a crucial role in supporting the incident response, it does not handle the tactical operations itself.
- Finance/Administration Section: This section is responsible for managing financial matters, including tracking costs, procurement, and timekeeping. It does not oversee the tactical operations but is essential for managing the financial aspects of the incident.
- Planning Section: The Planning Section is responsible for developing the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and maintaining situational awareness. It provides strategic direction but does not directly manage the tactical response.
In summary, the Operations Section is the one that directly organizes, assigns, and supervises tactical response resources to implement the response strategy during an incident.