Which position is required to be filled at every incident regardless of its size?

The position that is mandated to be filled at every incident, regardless of its size, is the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander plays a critical role in the overall management of the incident response. This individual is responsible for establishing the objectives for the operation, making strategic decisions, and coordinating resources and personnel.

Having a designated Incident Commander ensures there is a clear chain of command, which is essential for effective communication and efficient incident management. This position is also crucial for determining the safety and operational strategies in place to mitigate hazards and risks during an incident, thereby maintaining a structured approach to fireground operations.

In contrast, while the Safety Officer, Logistics Officer, and Planning Chief are important roles, they are not required at every incident. The Safety Officer can be vital for larger incidents but may not be necessary for smaller or less complex situations. Similarly, although logistics and planning are crucial for larger, more resource-intensive incidents, they can often be managed by the Incident Commander in smaller scenarios. Thus, the necessity of the Incident Commander is universal across all incident sizes, highlighting its foundational role in incident management.