Which ICS element sets objectives and priorities?

• A. Public Information Officer
• B. Finance/ Administration
• C. Incident Command
• D. Logistics

Answer: (C)

In ICS, the authority to set incident objectives and priorities sits with the person or group in command. They establish what the incident is aiming to achieve and the order of priorities (such as life safety, stabilization, and property preservation), providing the overall direction for all response actions. The Planning Section then translates those objectives into the Incident Action Plan, detailing tactics, timelines, and coordination needed to accomplish them. The other roles — Public Information Officer, Finance/Administration, and Logistics — support execution by handling communications, financials, and resource provision, but they do not determine the initial objectives and priorities. In a unified command setup, the group collectively sets those objectives, still under the overarching authority of command.