What is the origin of an Incident Commander's scope of authority?

The scope of authority for an Incident Commander is rooted in the Incident Action Plan (IAP), which articulates the objectives, strategies, and assignments for managing an incident. The IAP is developed during the Incident Command System (ICS) planning process and provides clear guidance on how to allocate resources, coordinate with other agencies, and establish priorities for incident response. By defining these elements, the IAP empowers the Incident Commander to make decisions and take actions that are critical for effective incident management, ensuring that operations align with the overall strategy.

This choice reflects the foundational principles of the ICS, where authority is derived from the structure of command established in the IAP, emphasizing the importance of clear guidance and operational directives in managing responses to incidents.