Who decides the change of channels on scene?

• A. Public Information Officer
• B. Incident Commander
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Finance/Admin Section Chief

Answer: (B)

In the Incident Command System, the Incident Commander has the ultimate authority over on-scene operations, including how communications are managed. Changing radio channels is a tactical move that directly affects coordination and safety, so the final decision rests with the Incident Commander. The Communications Unit Leader handles the technical plan for communications and can implement channel changes, but they act under the Incident Commander’s direction to maintain unity of command and prevent confusion.

The other roles support different aspects of the incident. The Public Information Officer handles external information and media, not on-scene radio channel decisions. The Safety Officer monitors safety but does not authorize changes to channels. The Finance/Admin Chief deals with cost and procurement. In practice, the Communications Unit Leader may propose and implement channel changes, but only after the Incident Commander approves to ensure coordinated operations.