Which of the following roles must the Deputy Incident Commander be prepared to take on?

The Deputy Incident Commander must be prepared to take on the role of Incident Commander. This is essential in the Incident Command System because the Deputy is responsible for supporting the Incident Commander and, in the event that the Incident Commander is unavailable or unable to perform their duties, the Deputy is expected to step in and assume that leadership role seamlessly.

This continuity of leadership is crucial during incidents, as it helps ensure that operations continue smoothly without disruption. The Deputy must be familiar with the situation, current operational strategies, and the personnel involved, enabling a swift transition when necessary.

The other roles, while important, do not directly match the primary responsibility of the Deputy Incident Commander in stepping into the Incident Commander position. The focus is on maintaining effective command and control of the incident, making readiness to take on the Incident Commander role paramount.