In NIMS, who is responsible for overall command during a major incident?

The Incident Commander plays a critical role during a major incident in the NIMS framework, serving as the individual responsible for overall command and management of the incident response. This position is tasked with making key decisions, coordinating resources, and directing operational activities on the ground. The Incident Commander determines the strategy for incident management, supervises the response efforts, and communicates with various stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and effective response.

Additionally, the role of the Incident Commander is clearly defined within NIMS to ensure a unified command structure and to streamline the decision-making process during incidents, thus promoting efficiency and clarity in responses. This central figure coordinates with other agencies and organizations involved, establishing a clear chain of command that is essential for successful incident management.