Who is responsible for decontamination and the implementation of the incident action plan during a hazardous materials incident?

The incident commander holds the primary responsibility for decontamination and the implementation of the incident action plan during a hazardous materials incident. This individual is in charge of the overall response, ensuring that all aspects of the incident management are coordinated effectively. The incident commander formulates strategies, delegates tasks, and oversees the complete operation, including the crucial steps of decontamination, which is vital to ensure the safety of all responders and the surrounding environment.

The incident action plan serves as a roadmap for operations, detailing how the response will be handled and what measures are in place to mitigate the hazards. By overseeing these elements, the incident commander ensures that every action taken is part of a coherent strategy aimed at resolving the situation while maintaining safety.

The roles of other positions, such as the safety officer, operations chief, and logistics officer, are vital but focused on specific areas within the incident command structure. While they support the incident commander in implementing the action plan and ensuring safety protocols are followed, the overall authority and responsibility rests with the incident commander.