What is the primary purpose of an incident commander?

The primary purpose of an incident commander is to manage and command all operations at an incident scene. This role involves establishing overall strategy, ensuring the safety of all personnel involved, and coordinating resources effectively. The incident commander has the authority to make critical decisions that set the direction for the emergency response, allocate tasks among team members, and communicate with other agencies and stakeholders as necessary.

In this capacity, the incident commander is responsible for the successful execution of the overall incident action plan, which includes assessing the situation, prioritizing objectives, and providing support to rescue teams. While other options mention important tasks such as rescuing and providing care, remaining visible, or determining methods of rescue, these activities fall under the command and management responsibilities that the incident commander oversees, rather than being the primary purpose of their role.