Final answer:
The organizational elements at the incident that can order resources include the Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Logistics Section, and potentially, the Planning Section within the Incident Command System. They work together to manage resources effectively during an incident response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organizational elements at the incident that can order resources include various positions and groups within the Incident Command System (ICS). The ICS is a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response that provides a common hierarchy within which personnel work together effectively and efficiently.
Key Components of the ICS Ordering Resources
Incident Commander: This individual has overall responsibility for managing the incident. The Incident Commander can order resources and make decisions on what is necessary for the incident.
Operations Section Chief: This person is in charge of all operations directly applicable to the primary mission of the incident. The Operations Section Chief has the authority to order additional resources as needed to support tactical operations.
Logistics Section: The Logistics Section is involved in providing services and support to the incident, including ordering resources that are necessary for incident operations.
Planning Section: Responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating operational information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of the ICS action plan. While they do not typically order resources directly, they may identify the need for resources and pass that information to the Logistics Section.
Each of these units works in conjunction to ensure that the resources needed to manage an incident are available and can be deployed effectively. The incident's complexity and size determine how these elements interact and whom the responsibility falls upon to order additional resources.