Which function is primarily associated with setting incident objectives?

The primary function associated with setting incident objectives lies within the Planning Section. This section is responsible for developing and maintaining the incident action plan, which includes the establishment of clear and measurable objectives for the incident response. Setting objectives is critical as they guide all other sections of the incident management team in executing their tasks effectively.

The Planning Section evaluates the situation, gathers information, and develops strategies to achieve the established goals, ensuring that the efforts are aligned across all teams involved in responding to the incident. This strategic level of oversight is pivotal, as clear objectives inform the operational planning and are crucial for resource allocation and task assignments.

The other sections—Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration—have distinct roles that support the overall incident management process but do not directly set the incident objectives. The Operations Section focuses on carrying out the tactics necessary to meet the objectives set by the Planning Section, the Logistics Section provides the necessary resources and supports the operational needs, and the Finance/Administration Section manages the financial and administrative aspects of the incident, including cost tracking and contracts. Each plays a vital role in the incident management framework but does not establish the overarching objectives.