FEMA IS-200.C EXAM - BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND
SYSTEM COMPREHENSIVE EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of the Incident
Command System (ICS)?
A. To replace all existing agency command structures during incidents
B. To provide a standardized approach to incident management across
jurisdictions and disciplines
C. To centralize all emergency authority at the federal level
D. To function only during large-scale disasters
Rationale: ICS is designed to integrate facilities, equipment, personnel,
procedures, and communications into a common organizational structure,
enabling coordinated response regardless of incident size or agency.
2. Under ICS, which individual has overall responsibility for managing the
incident?
A. Operations Section Chief
B. Agency Executive
C. Incident Commander
D. Emergency Operations Center Director
Rationale: The Incident Commander has ultimate authority and
responsibility for incident management until command is transferred or
unified.
,3. A key advantage of modular organization in ICS is that it:
A. Requires activation of all sections for every incident
B. Limits span of control to two resources
C. Allows the structure to expand or contract based on incident
complexity
D. Eliminates the need for unified command
Rationale: ICS organizations are built from the top down and expand only
as needed to maintain efficiency.
4. Span of control under ICS is best defined as:
A. The number of agencies involved in an incident
B. The number of individuals or resources one supervisor can
effectively manage
C. The geographic size of the incident
D. The duration of operational periods
Rationale: Effective span of control generally ranges from three to seven,
with five being optimal.
5. Which ICS principle ensures that all responders report to only one
designated supervisor?
A. Unified Command
B. Unity of Command
C. Chain of Command
D. Accountability
Rationale: Unity of Command prevents confusion and conflicting
instructions by ensuring each individual reports to one supervisor.
6. Which situation most clearly requires the establishment of Unified
Command?
A. A single-agency hazardous materials spill
, B. A routine law enforcement traffic accident
C. A wildfire crossing state and federal lands involving multiple
agencies
D. A small medical response inside a single facility
Rationale: Unified Command is used when incidents involve multiple
jurisdictions or agencies with legal authority.
7. What is the primary function of the Operations Section?
A. Collecting and analyzing incident intelligence
B. Directing tactical operations to achieve incident objectives
C. Tracking incident costs
D. Developing the Incident Action Plan
Rationale: Operations executes the tactical activities that accomplish the
objectives established by Command.
8. Who is responsible for developing the Incident Action Plan (IAP)?
A. Incident Commander alone
B. Planning Section, with input from Command and Sections
C. Operations Section Chief
D. Safety Officer
Rationale: The Planning Section coordinates the preparation of the IAP,
incorporating input from all sections.
9. Which element is required in all Incident Action Plans, regardless of
incident size?
A. Medical Plan
B. Incident objectives
C. Communications Plan
D. Demobilization Plan
, Rationale: Every IAP must clearly state incident objectives, even if the
plan is verbal.
10.The transfer of command should occur:
A. Without notification to maintain efficiency
B. Only at the end of an incident
C. When a more qualified individual assumes responsibility, following a
formal briefing
D. Automatically after each operational period
Rationale: Transfer of command must be communicated clearly and
include a comprehensive briefing.
11.Which ICS position has authority to stop unsafe acts during incident
operations?
A. Liaison Officer
B. Planning Section Chief
C. Safety Officer
D. Public Information Officer
Rationale: The Safety Officer monitors conditions and has authority to
halt operations posing immediate danger.
12.In ICS terminology, resources are considered “assigned” when they:
A. Are listed in a mutual aid agreement
B. Are en route to the incident
C. Are working under the direction of a supervisor
D. Have been released from the incident
Rationale: Assigned resources are actively engaged in incident operations.
13.Which ICS facility is used to provide a central location for command and
control?
A. Staging Area
SYSTEM COMPREHENSIVE EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of the Incident
Command System (ICS)?
A. To replace all existing agency command structures during incidents
B. To provide a standardized approach to incident management across
jurisdictions and disciplines
C. To centralize all emergency authority at the federal level
D. To function only during large-scale disasters
Rationale: ICS is designed to integrate facilities, equipment, personnel,
procedures, and communications into a common organizational structure,
enabling coordinated response regardless of incident size or agency.
2. Under ICS, which individual has overall responsibility for managing the
incident?
A. Operations Section Chief
B. Agency Executive
C. Incident Commander
D. Emergency Operations Center Director
Rationale: The Incident Commander has ultimate authority and
responsibility for incident management until command is transferred or
unified.
,3. A key advantage of modular organization in ICS is that it:
A. Requires activation of all sections for every incident
B. Limits span of control to two resources
C. Allows the structure to expand or contract based on incident
complexity
D. Eliminates the need for unified command
Rationale: ICS organizations are built from the top down and expand only
as needed to maintain efficiency.
4. Span of control under ICS is best defined as:
A. The number of agencies involved in an incident
B. The number of individuals or resources one supervisor can
effectively manage
C. The geographic size of the incident
D. The duration of operational periods
Rationale: Effective span of control generally ranges from three to seven,
with five being optimal.
5. Which ICS principle ensures that all responders report to only one
designated supervisor?
A. Unified Command
B. Unity of Command
C. Chain of Command
D. Accountability
Rationale: Unity of Command prevents confusion and conflicting
instructions by ensuring each individual reports to one supervisor.
6. Which situation most clearly requires the establishment of Unified
Command?
A. A single-agency hazardous materials spill
, B. A routine law enforcement traffic accident
C. A wildfire crossing state and federal lands involving multiple
agencies
D. A small medical response inside a single facility
Rationale: Unified Command is used when incidents involve multiple
jurisdictions or agencies with legal authority.
7. What is the primary function of the Operations Section?
A. Collecting and analyzing incident intelligence
B. Directing tactical operations to achieve incident objectives
C. Tracking incident costs
D. Developing the Incident Action Plan
Rationale: Operations executes the tactical activities that accomplish the
objectives established by Command.
8. Who is responsible for developing the Incident Action Plan (IAP)?
A. Incident Commander alone
B. Planning Section, with input from Command and Sections
C. Operations Section Chief
D. Safety Officer
Rationale: The Planning Section coordinates the preparation of the IAP,
incorporating input from all sections.
9. Which element is required in all Incident Action Plans, regardless of
incident size?
A. Medical Plan
B. Incident objectives
C. Communications Plan
D. Demobilization Plan
, Rationale: Every IAP must clearly state incident objectives, even if the
plan is verbal.
10.The transfer of command should occur:
A. Without notification to maintain efficiency
B. Only at the end of an incident
C. When a more qualified individual assumes responsibility, following a
formal briefing
D. Automatically after each operational period
Rationale: Transfer of command must be communicated clearly and
include a comprehensive briefing.
11.Which ICS position has authority to stop unsafe acts during incident
operations?
A. Liaison Officer
B. Planning Section Chief
C. Safety Officer
D. Public Information Officer
Rationale: The Safety Officer monitors conditions and has authority to
halt operations posing immediate danger.
12.In ICS terminology, resources are considered “assigned” when they:
A. Are listed in a mutual aid agreement
B. Are en route to the incident
C. Are working under the direction of a supervisor
D. Have been released from the incident
Rationale: Assigned resources are actively engaged in incident operations.
13.Which ICS facility is used to provide a central location for command and
control?
A. Staging Area
