Who typically becomes the incident commander during emergencies?

The incident commander during emergencies is typically the first onsite senior emergency response official. This individual is specifically trained to manage incidents and coordinate the response effort. Their role is critical because they must quickly assess the situation, determine the appropriate response, and employ strategies to mitigate the incident while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

This structure is established to provide a clear chain of command and to ensure that the most knowledgeable and prepared individual is in charge from the onset of the incident. The first onsite senior emergency response official usually possesses the relevant experience and expertise required to handle emergencies effectively, which makes them well-suited for the role of incident commander.

In contrast, the highest-ranking official on site might not have the necessary emergency management training or experience that the senior emergency response official possesses, leading to potential inefficiencies in managing the situation. Similarly, while the local police chief and the fire department's chief play essential roles in emergency response, their command may come into play later as the situation evolves and additional resources are coordinated.