What is the skipper's role during an incident?

• A. Delegate everything to crew and watch from a distance.
• B. Lead the response, ensure safety, communicate with responders, document details, and coordinate a safe resolution.
• C. Only ensure personal safety.
• D. Wait for instructions from the supervisor without taking action.

Answer: (B)

In an incident, the skipper steps up as the leader of the response, taking charge to protect people and manage the situation. The skipper should directly lead the response, ensure safety for everyone involved, communicate clearly with responders and others on scene, document key details of what happened, and coordinate actions to bring the situation to a safe, controlled conclusion. This approach provides immediate direction, maintains safety, and ensures there’s a clear plan of action and a record for after-action review.

Delegating everything and watching from a distance misses the essential on-scene leadership needed to control hazards and guide the response. Focusing only on personal safety ignores others and the broader goal of resolving the incident. Waiting for instructions without taking action wastes critical time and can allow risks to escalate.