During which phase of the National Fire Academy model does the incident commander complete a 360° walk around of the incident?

The correct answer pertains to the initial size up phase, where the incident commander completes a 360° walk around of the incident. This phase is crucial for gathering comprehensive situational awareness and understanding the scope of the incident. By conducting a 360° walk around, the incident commander can identify hazards, assess the structure's condition, observe fire behavior, and gather information on the layout and potential victims or areas of concern.

This detailed assessment during the initial size up allows the commander to make informed decisions about resource allocation, tactics, and overall strategy. It is an essential step to ensure safety for both responders and civilians, as well as to effectively manage the incident.

The other phases involve different focuses. The reconnaissance phase is primarily about gathering preliminary information and establishing an initial understanding, while action plan development involves coordinating resources and determining specific operational strategies. Resource reassessment is about evaluating the effectiveness of current tactics and making adjustments as necessary. These phases do not specifically involve the comprehensive observational assessment that the 360° walk around represents, making the initial size up phase the best answer.