Who typically serves as the Section Chief with the greatest technical and tactical expertise?

The Operations Chief is typically the Section Chief with the greatest technical and tactical expertise in incident management. This role is crucial because the Operations Chief is responsible for overseeing the tactical operations during an incident. They must possess a deep understanding of the incident's specifics, which includes not only the strategies for response but also the technical details necessary to make effective decisions under pressure.

The Operations Chief directly manages all tactical operations, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that objectives are achieved. Their expertise is fundamental to coordinating activities on the ground and ensuring that teams are working cohesively toward common goals.

In contrast, the Logistics Chief focuses on the resources and support needed for operations; the Planning Chief manages the incident action plan and information; and the Finance Chief deals with the budgeting and financial aspects of the emergency response. While all these roles are vital to the incident command structure, it is the Operations Chief who embodies the technical and tactical proficiency necessary to lead the response effectively.