Command Staff Functions

The Incident Commander or Unified Command assigns Command Staff as needed to support the command function. The Command Staff typically includes a Public Information Officer (PIO), a Safety Officer, and a Liaison Officer who report directly to the Incident Commander or Unified Command and have assistants as necessary. The Incident Commander or Unified Command may appoint additional advisors as needed.

Command Staff Responsibilities Public Information Officer (PIO) The PIO interfaces with the public, media, and/or with other agencies with incident-related information needs. The PIO gathers, verifies, coordinates, and disseminates accessible,15 meaningful, and timely information on the incident for both internal and external audiences. The PIO also monitors the media and other sources of public information to collect relevant information and transmits this information to the appropriate components of the incident management organization. In incidents that involve PIOs from different agencies, the Incident Commander or Unified Command designates one as the lead PIO. All PIOs should work in a unified manner, speaking with one voice, and ensure that all messaging is consistent. The Incident Commander or Unified Command approves the release of incident-related information. In large-scale incidents, the PIO participates in or leads the Joint Information Center (JIC). Safety Officer The Safety Officer monitors incident operations and advises the Incident Commander or Unified Command on matters relating to the health and safety of incident personnel. Ultimate responsibility for the safe conduct of incident management rests with the Incident Commander or Unified Command and supervisors at all levels. The Safety Officer is responsible to the Incident Commander or Unified Command for establishing the systems and procedures necessary to assess, communicate, and mitigate hazardous environments. This includes developing and maintaining the incident Safety Plan, coordinating multiagency safety efforts, and implementing measures to promote the safety of incident personnel and incident sites. The Safety Officer stops and/or prevents unsafe acts during the incident. Agencies, organizations, or jurisdictions that contribute to joint safety management efforts do not lose their individual responsibilities or authorities for their own programs, policies, and personnel. Rather, each contributes to the overall effort to protect all personnel involved in the incident. Liaison Officer The Liaison Officer is the incident command’s point of contact for representatives of governmental agencies, jurisdictions, NGOs, and private sector organizations that are not included in the Unified Command. Through the Liaison Officer, these representatives provide input on their agency, organization, or jurisdiction’s policies, resource availability, and other incident-related matters. Under either a single Incident Commander or a Unified Command structure, representatives from assisting or cooperating jurisdictions and organizations coordinate through the Liaison Officer. The Liaison Officer may have assistants. Source: National Incident Management System (NIMS)