Who is ultimately accountable for the property management program at an incident?

The ultimate accountability for the property management program at an incident lies with the Incident Commander. This position holds the overarching responsibility for the entire Incident Action Plan, which includes not only operational strategies but also logistical and support functions such as property and resource management. The Incident Commander ensures that all resources, including equipment and supplies, are accounted for, properly utilized, and returned post-incident.

While the Supply Unit Leader and other personnel play important roles in the coordination and management of supplies and equipment, their responsibilities fall under the broader authority of the Incident Commander. The Supply Unit Leader, for instance, manages the inventory and distribution of equipment but does so in alignment with the objectives set forth by the Incident Commander.

Similarly, a Crew Boss has oversight of their specific crew and operational tasks, but their duties also report up through the chain of command. Therefore, while all these roles are crucial to effective incident management, it is ultimately the Incident Commander who bears the responsibility for ensuring that property management protocols are followed and that accountability for all incident-related property is maintained.