incident command

The Incident Commander is responsible for overall incident management, strategy, and coordination.

• The IC relies on accurate information to make informed strategic decisions, allocate resources effectively, and establish clear incident objectives.

• The IC also ensures that critical updates are shared across the Command and General Staff, as well as with external stakeholders (via the Public Information Officer and Liaison Officer).

• The IC integrates incoming intelligence from multiple sources—field reports, situation updates, and partner agencies—to maintain situational awareness.

The Planning Section is the ICS hub for information collection, analysis, documentation, and dissemination. It compiles Situation Reports (SitReps), tracks resource status, and produces the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for each operational period.

Subunits within Planning include:

• Situation Unit – Collects and analyzes data on the incident’s current and projected status.

• Resource Unit – Tracks personnel and equipment assignments.

• Documentation Unit – Maintains records for accountability and post-incident review.

• Demobilization Unit – Plans for orderly release of resources.

The Planning Section ensures that decision-makers have access to accurate and actionable intelligence at all times.

The Logistics Section is responsible for providing support, equipment, supplies, and communication systems, not for collecting or analyzing incident data.

The Finance/Administration Section handles cost tracking, payroll, and reimbursement documentation, but not situational intelligence or data analysis.

The Operations Section executes the tactical objectives established in the IAP and provides field updates, but it does not analyze or distribute information across sections.