Who is responsible for directing the command and control of all operations?

• A. Incident Commander (IC)
• B. Public Information Officer
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Logistics Chief

Answer: (A)

In the Incident Command System, the person with overall authority to direct command and control of all incident operations is the Incident Commander. The IC sets incident objectives, determines strategy and priorities, and authorizes the deployment of resources, while ensuring safety and coordination across all response activities. The Public Information Officer handles external communications, the Safety Officer monitors hazards and provides safety guidance, and the Logistics Chief manages support resources and services. None of these roles directs every aspect of operations on their own, although in complex incidents a Unified Command may share authority; the responsibility for directing overall operations rests with the Incident Commander (or the unified command as a whole).