Final answer:
Later-arriving units at an incident are placed in a staging area while they await further instructions.The correct answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Incident Management and Staging Areas
When managing incidents, especially in emergency services or disaster response scenarios, it is crucial to have a structured system for organizing resources and personnel. The question pertains to where later-arriving units would be placed while they await instructions. The correct answer to this question is a) Staging Area.
The staging area is an established location near the incident but at a safe distance away from the immediate danger zone, called the hot zone. It serves as a temporary holding area where personnel and equipment can be accounted for and are available for tactical assignments. The staging area is managed by the staging area manager, who reports to the operations section chief.
In contrast, the command post is the location where the Incident Commander oversees all incident operations. The hot zone is the place where direct operations to control the incident occur, and as the name implies, it is often dangerous and requires special protective gear to enter. The rehabilitation area is where personnel can rest and recover away from the stress and strain of the incident.
Thus, when a new unit arrives at an incident, it would report to the staging area and remain there until the operations section chief or staging area manager gives further instructions.