When is command terminated at the scene?

When is command terminated at the scene?

• A. When the incident ends
• B. When a transfer of command occurs
• C. When the last company leaves the scene
• D. When the primary search is complete

Answer: (C)

The key idea is to know when on-scene command ends. Incident command stays in place as long as there are active on-scene operations and units working. The point at which command is terminated is when the last company leaves the scene. At that moment there are no more active tasks or units on site to manage, so the on-scene command can be formally closed and resources can be released back to service. Transfers of command keep command active, just under a new holder, so they do not terminate command. Likewise, finishing a primary search or declaring the incident “over” can happen while command is still needed for scene rehabilitation, incident documentation, or other post-incident tasks, until all units have departed.

The key idea is to know when on-scene command ends. Incident command stays in place as long as there are active on-scene operations and units working. The point at which command is terminated is when the last company leaves the scene. At that moment there are no more active tasks or units on site to manage, so the on-scene command can be formally closed and resources can be released back to service.

Transfers of command keep command active, just under a new holder, so they do not terminate command. Likewise, finishing a primary search or declaring the incident “over” can happen while command is still needed for scene rehabilitation, incident documentation, or other post-incident tasks, until all units have departed.