In ICS, which role is primarily responsible for setting incident objectives and overall strategy?

• A. Public Information Officer
• B. Incident Commander
• C. Financial Manager
• D. Safety Officer

Answer: (B)

In ICS, the person in charge—the Incident Commander—is the one who sets what the incident needs to achieve and determines the overall approach to how it will be handled. This role has the authority to define incident objectives, establish priorities, and decide the general strategy for deploying resources and guiding operations. The IC stays focused on the big picture, balancing safety, effectiveness, and resource availability while coordinating with Command Staff and the General Staff as the situation grows. The Public Information Officer handles communication with the public and media, the Financial Manager tracks costs, and the Safety Officer monitors on-scene safety, supporting the IC but not setting the overarching objectives or strategy. In larger incidents, a Unified Command may share leadership, but they still work toward a common set of objectives and an agreed strategy.