What characteristic of the Incident Command System helps clarify authority and responsibilities?

The characteristic of the Incident Command System that helps clarify authority and responsibilities is the organizational structure. This structure is designed to establish clear lines of authority within an incident management scenario. It delineates specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships among personnel involved in an incident.

By having a well-defined organizational structure, everyone involved knows their specific duties and who they report to, which minimizes confusion during an incident. This structure is crucial for effective decision-making and coordination, allowing for a unified approach to incident management. Each position within the structure has designated responsibilities which align with the overall objectives of the response, ensuring that tasks are carried out efficiently and that appropriate resources are deployed effectively.

This clarity provided by the organizational structure is foundational to effective incident management, contrasting with the other aspects listed, which support the mission but do not directly clarify authority and responsibilities in the same way.