What is the primary goal of the Incident Commander?

The primary goal of the Incident Commander is to manage resources effectively. This responsibility encompasses overseeing personnel, equipment, and information to ensure that all are utilized optimally during an incident. Effective resource management is crucial for responding to emergencies in a timely and efficient manner, allowing for a coordinated approach that maximizes the effectiveness of the incident response.

While issuing field orders, facilitating communication, and maintaining public safety are all important functions within the broader context of incident management, they fall under the umbrella of resource management. An effective Incident Commander must assess the situation, prioritize needs, and allocate resources accordingly to ensure safe and effective operations. By focusing on managing resources, the Incident Commander directly contributes to achieving the incident response objectives, ensuring that the safety of personnel and the public is prioritized and maintained.