What is the role of the Liaison Officer in ICS?

• A. Directs on-scene operations.
• B. Coordinates with agency representatives and maintains interagency relationships.
• C. Oversees safety and risk assessments.
• D. Manages logistics documentation.

Answer: (B)

In ICS, the Liaison Officer acts as the bridge between incident command and the outside agencies that are involved in the response. The key function is to coordinate with agency representatives and maintain interagency relationships, ensuring that mutual aid, information sharing, and policy constraints are aligned across organizations. This role keeps external partners integrated with the incident command structure, helps prevent duplicative efforts, and facilitates smooth cooperation during complex events.

Directing on-scene operations is handled by the Incident Commander and the Operations Section, not the Liaison Officer. Overseeing safety and risk assessments is the responsibility of the Safety Officer, while managing logistics documentation is handled by the Documentation Unit within Logistics.