What will your agency critical incident plan determine?

• A. Protocols for the chain of command and identify the officer in charge of incident management
• B. The number of staff on duty
• C. The budget for the incident response
• D. The menu for the after-action meal

Answer: (A)

The key idea being tested is how a critical incident plan defines leadership and authority during an event. The plan establishes the chain of command and identifies who is in charge of incident management, creating a clear, unified command structure. This clarity ensures decisions are made by the right person, communications flow smoothly, and roles are understood by all staff, which is essential for safety and effective control of the incident.

Staffing levels, budgets, and meals are important logistics and administrative concerns, but they are not the core function of the incident command plan. The plan focuses on who leads, how authority is exercised, and how coordination across units will occur during the incident.