During an incident, which position is always staffed under the ICS?

The position that is always staffed under the Incident Command System (ICS) during an incident is the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is the individual with overall responsibility for managing an incident and is the central figure in the response action. This role ensures that the incident is handled effectively and efficiently, serving as the primary decision-maker and point of contact for all personnel involved.

The Incident Commander oversees the entire operation, establishing objectives, strategies, and tactics to be employed, while also ensuring resource allocation and information flow are effective. This position is pivotal for command and control during any incident, as it encapsulates the accountability and leadership required in crisis situations.

In contrast, while roles like the Safety Officer, Logistics Chief, and Operations Chief are critical to the success of an incident response, these positions may not always be filled depending on the complexity or scale of the incident. However, the Incident Commander is a mandatory role that must always be present to effectively lead the incident response operations.