What is the primary responsibility of the information and intelligence function during an incident?

The primary responsibility of the information and intelligence function during an incident is to manage the flow of information and ensure that the necessary intelligence is available for informed decision-making. This function is critical for assessing situations, disseminating information to stakeholders, and understanding the impact of incidents on the community and response efforts.

Developing, conducting, and managing information-related security plans serves as a cornerstone for this function, as it ensures that sensitive information is protected, and that there is a structured approach to handling intelligence-related activities throughout the incident lifecycle. By effectively coordinating information, the incident command can enhance situational awareness and ensure that all involved parties have access to the intelligence needed for operational success.

Recruiting volunteers is not the main focus of the information and intelligence function. Similarly, coordinating logistics and providing medical support are essential tasks; however, they fall under different areas of incident management. Logistics is more about resource management, while medical support deals with the health and safety needs of those affected by an incident. In contrast, the information and intelligence function's overarching goal is to ensure that decisions are guided by accurate and timely information, underscoring the importance of information management in emergency response situations.