Who is responsible for the overall management of an emergency response?

The Incident Commander is responsible for the overall management of an emergency response. This role involves facilitating the entire incident management process, which includes setting objectives, coordinating resources, and making strategic decisions to effectively respond to the incident at hand. The Incident Commander ensures that all teams and units are aligned with the response plan and that safety protocols are followed, thereby maintaining control of the situation and ensuring that responders are safe while efficiently managing the resources deployed.

In this capacity, the Incident Commander initiates and maintains communication with various responders, stakeholders, and agencies involved in the incident to foster a cooperative approach to managing and resolving the emergency. Their authority and responsibility are crucial in determining the direction and outcome of the response efforts, making them the central figure in the incident management structure.