Who is responsible for the selection of Incident Commanders?

The selection of Incident Commanders falls under the authority of the jurisdiction or organization that has primary responsibility for managing the incident. This is due to the need for local expertise and understanding of the specific circumstances and resources available within that jurisdiction.

When an incident occurs, the local authority is typically the first responder and has the most direct knowledge of the situation, resources, and potential hazards. They are in the best position to make informed decisions regarding incident management, including appointing a qualified Incident Commander who can effectively lead the response efforts.

Other entities, such as community leaders or federal organizations, while they may play supportive roles, do not have the primary responsibility for incident command, making them less suitable for this selection process. The role of a Federal Coordinating Officer typically comes into play during broader federal assistance scenarios, but does not override local command authority. Therefore, it is crucial that the organization or jurisdiction with primary responsibility retains the authority to appoint and manage the Incident Commander to ensure a coherent and effective response.