Who is responsible for creating the Incident Action Plan?

The Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a crucial component of effective incident management within the Incident Command System (ICS). It provides the overall strategy for achieving incident objectives and outlines the specific actions to be taken. The responsibility for creating the IAP lies primarily with the Incident Commander in conjunction with the Planning Section.

The Incident Commander is the person who has the ultimate authority and responsibility for managing the incident. They set the objectives and direction of the incident response. The Planning Section, on the other hand, brings expertise in assessing the situation, determining resource needs, and documenting the necessary steps to achieve the objectives. This collaborative effort ensures that the IAP is comprehensive, addressing both the strategic elements outlined by the Incident Commander and the tactical considerations contributed by the Planning Section.

While other sections, such as Logistics and Operations, may provide input and resources for the overall plan, the primary responsibility for the creation of the IAP remains with the Incident Commander and the Planning Section. This structured approach facilitates informed decision-making and effective coordination during incident management.