Which position is staffed early during a major incident?

Which position is staffed early during a major incident?

• A. Incident safety officer
• B. Operations chief
• C. Liaison officer
• D. Technical safety officer

Answer: (A)

Early on in a major incident, safety takes priority. An incident safety officer is dedicated to spotting hazards, ensuring proper PPE and safe operating procedures, and coordinating hazard mitigation as the situation evolves. Having this role filled from the start keeps safety considerations at the center of every decision the incident command makes, reducing the risk to responders and the public and allowing tactics to proceed with hazards in mind. Other roles play important parts, but they don’t set safety as the immediate first priority. The liaison handles communication with outside agencies, the operations chief leads the tactical response, and a technical safety officer is a specialized safety role that isn’t always activated at the outset. Placing the incident safety officer first ensures a safe foundation for the rest of the response.

Early on in a major incident, safety takes priority. An incident safety officer is dedicated to spotting hazards, ensuring proper PPE and safe operating procedures, and coordinating hazard mitigation as the situation evolves. Having this role filled from the start keeps safety considerations at the center of every decision the incident command makes, reducing the risk to responders and the public and allowing tactics to proceed with hazards in mind.

Other roles play important parts, but they don’t set safety as the immediate first priority. The liaison handles communication with outside agencies, the operations chief leads the tactical response, and a technical safety officer is a specialized safety role that isn’t always activated at the outset. Placing the incident safety officer first ensures a safe foundation for the rest of the response.