Under NIMS, what is the primary goal of the Incident Action Plan (IAP)?

The primary goal of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework is to outline incident response objectives and strategy. The IAP serves as a crucial tool for managing operations during an incident by clearly defining objectives that need to be achieved and the strategies that will be employed to meet those objectives. This plan helps ensure that all responders are coordinated and focused on the same goals, thereby improving overall effectiveness in managing the incident.

By establishing a clear set of objectives and the methods to achieve them, the IAP allows for better resource allocation, improved communication among teams, and a structured approach to incident management. This focus on strategic planning is essential for successful incident response, as it enables all participants to understand their roles and responsibilities in the context of the overall operation.