Which section is accountable for the development of Incident Action Plans?

The Planning Section is responsible for the development of Incident Action Plans (IAPs) within the Incident Command System (ICS). This section plays a critical role in assessing the current situation, identifying objectives, and determining strategies to facilitate effective incident response. The IAP outlines the incident objectives, strategies, tactics, assignments, and resources used during an operational period, ensuring that all team members and stakeholders are aware of the plans and expectations moving forward.

The Planning Section gathers and analyzes information about the incident, collaborates with other sections, and integrates input from the Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Admin sections. This centralized responsibility for plan creation enables a coordinated and organized response effort, which is vital for successful incident management.