In ICS, who typically establishes incident objectives?

• A. Incident Commander establishes incident objectives; sets priorities and vision.
• B. Finance Section Chief sets objectives.
• C. Public Information Officer determines objectives.
• D. Safety Officer determines objectives.

Answer: (C)

In ICS, the Incident Commander sets the incident objectives, establishing the priorities and overall direction for the response. This role has the authority to determine what needs to be accomplished and how resources should be focused to achieve those goals, ensuring all actions align with the response’s strategic plan. The Public Information Officer handles communication with the public and media, not objective setting; the Safety Officer concentrates on safety and risk management; and the Finance/Administration Chief manages costs, procurement, and contracts. The Public Information Officer may relay the agreed objectives to stakeholders, but the decision itself comes from the Incident Commander.