A. The more qualified person automatically becomes the new Incident Commander and assumes command. The outgoing Incident Commander demobilizes to avoid confusion.
B. The more qualified person becomes the new Incident Commander at the beginning of the next operational period.
C. The Emergency Operations Center Director must order a Transfer of Command.
D. The more qualified person has options based on agency guidelines; these can include assuming command, maintaining command as is, or requesting a more qualified Incident Commander.
Answer:
The correct option is D. The more qualified person has options based on agency guidelines; these can include assuming command, maintaining command as is, or requesting a more qualified Incident Commander.
When a more qualified person arrives on scene during an incident, the current Incident Commander will assess the situation and determine the best course of action based on agency guidelines. This can include the more qualified person assuming command, maintaining command as is, or requesting a more qualified Incident Commander. The decision will depend on factors such as the complexity and scope of the incident, the capabilities of the existing Incident Commander and their team, and the availability and qualifications of the incoming personnel. It is important for all personnel involved to follow agency protocols and communicate effectively to ensure a smooth transition of command if necessary.
When an emergency or disaster occurs, it is important to have a qualified person in charge who can effectively manage the response efforts and ensure the safety of responders and the public. This person is typically referred to as the Incident Commander (IC).
However, in some cases, a more qualified person may arrive on scene who has more experience, training, or expertise in managing the specific type of incident. When this happens, the question arises of what should happen to the current IC and whether or not the more qualified person should assume command.
According to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the decision on whether or not to transfer command to the more qualified person should be based on a number of factors, including the qualifications and experience of both the current IC and the more qualified person, the severity and complexity of the incident, and the availability of resources.
If the more qualified person decides to assume command, they should first communicate their intentions to the current IC and make sure that everyone involved in the response effort is aware of the change in command. The current IC should then relinquish command and demobilize to avoid confusion.
However, if the more qualified person decides to maintain command as is or request a more qualified IC, they should communicate their concerns to the current IC and work collaboratively to manage the incident. In some cases, the current IC may be able to delegate specific tasks to the more qualified person while still retaining overall command.
It is also important to note that in some cases, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director may need to order a Transfer of Command if the current IC is unable or unwilling to relinquish command to the more qualified person.
Ultimately, the goal of any response effort is to ensure the safety of responders and the public and to effectively manage the incident. The decision on whether or not to transfer command to a more qualified person should be based on what is in the best interest of the response effort and the safety of all involved.