Which position is always staffed in ICS applications?

The position that is always staffed in Incident Command System (ICS) applications is the Incident Commander. This role is critical because the Incident Commander holds the overall responsibility for managing the incident. They are tasked with setting objectives, managing resources, and making strategic decisions to ensure that operations run smoothly and safely.

The Incident Commander serves as the primary decision-maker and is the point of contact for all personnel involved in the response effort. Their leadership is essential for coordinating activities among various sectors and for communication with stakeholders, including the public and other agencies. While other positions, such as the Safety Officer, Public Information Officer, and Operations Section Chief, play significant roles in the ICS structure, the Incident Commander is foundational and must always be present to effectively lead an incident response.