What does the emergency operations plan set forth regarding authority during incidents?

The emergency operations plan is a crucial component of emergency management, establishing a structured approach to handling incidents. One of its primary purposes is to clearly delineate authority and roles among various agencies and personnel involved in emergency response. By establishing overall authority, the plan ensures that there is a clear chain of command during incidents, which enhances coordination and efficiency in response efforts. This structure is vital as it allows responders to operate effectively under a unified command, minimizing confusion and overlapping responsibilities, which can hinder response efforts.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not focus on the core aspect of authority during incidents as outlined by the emergency operations plan. For example, budget allocations are typically part of a different planning document that deals with financial resources rather than command structure. Similarly, while contact information for agencies is certainly useful, it does not relate to authority and roles during an incident response. Lastly, guiding post-incident recovery is an important function, but it is not primarily concerned with establishing authority during the active response to an incident. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes the importance of defining roles and authority, which is crucial for effective emergency management.