Which NIMS characteristic involves coordinating and directing resources to effectively manage an incident?

The characteristic that involves coordinating and directing resources to effectively manage an incident is Command and Coordination. This aspect of NIMS is crucial because it establishes how various agencies and organizations work together to ensure an effective and efficient response.

Command and Coordination provides the framework for the chains of command, ensuring that everyone involved in the incident response understands their roles and responsibilities. It allows for the establishment of clear lines of authority and communication, facilitating the allocation of resources and personnel to the areas where they are most needed.

The other options, while important, address different areas of incident management. Resource Management focuses on the processes for obtaining and tracking resources, Information and Intelligence Management deals with the gathering, sharing, and analysis of information relevant to the incident, and Incident Action Planning relates to developing strategies and objectives for managing the incident within a given time frame. Each of these components plays a vital role in incident response, but Command and Coordination specifically addresses the overall management and direction needed to effectively respond to and mitigate an incident.