In an incident command structure, who has the highest authority?

In an incident command structure, the Incident Commander holds the highest authority. This role is critical because the Incident Commander is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the incident response. They set incident objectives, establish priorities, and make key decisions regarding resource allocation and strategy. The Incident Commander is the central figure in directing operations and ensuring that activities are aligned with the incident objectives.

The other roles, while vital to the success of the response, serve under the Incident Commander. For instance, the Safety Officer focuses on monitoring and assessing safety hazards, the Operations Section Chief manages tactical operations, and the Logistics Section Chief oversees resource management and support. Each of these positions plays a significant role, but they all operate within the framework established by the Incident Commander, who retains ultimate authority and accountability for the incident response.