In a written IAP, what is essential to include?

In a written Incident Action Plan (IAP), it is essential to include resource availability as it directly influences the effectiveness and efficiency of incident management. Resource availability outlines what personnel, equipment, and materials are accessible for the incident, ensuring that the command team can plan operations, allocate resources effectively, and establish a clear picture of what is at hand. This information is critical for situational awareness and decision-making during the incident response.

Including personal success stories, future community plans, or all potential hazards might provide some context, but they do not serve the operational need that resource availability fulfills in an IAP. The focus of an IAP is on how to effectively manage the incident with the resources that are currently at hand, making resource availability a foundational aspect of the planning process.