What is a critical duty of the facilities unit during an incident?

The facilities unit plays a vital role during an incident by being responsible for the setup and demobilization of facilities used to support operations. This includes establishing command posts, staging areas, and resource locations that are essential for the effective management of an incident. By ensuring that facilities are appropriately placed and adequately supported, the facilities unit facilitates communication and coordination among response teams, which is crucial for an organized response effort.

This function is central to the overall incident management process because functional and accessible facilities can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. The unit's duties contribute to a well-structured response, as they ensure that all physical spaces needed for the incident management operation are operational when required and properly closed out afterward.

In contrast, other options, while they represent important functions in incident management, do not align with the primary responsibility of the facilities unit. Ordering food and supplies, maintaining communication equipment, and tracking costs are managed by different units or roles within the incident management framework, demonstrating the specialized nature of the facilities unit’s critical duties.