What should be included in the Incident Action Plan (IAP)?

The Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a key component of effective incident management and provides a framework for the coordination of response efforts. It serves as a communication tool that outlines the objectives, strategies, assignments, and resource allocation necessary to effectively manage an incident. Including objectives is crucial as they guide the response efforts and set clear targets for what needs to be accomplished. Strategies detail how the objectives will be met, while assignments specify who is responsible for various tasks. Additionally, the allocation of resources ensures that the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials are available and appropriately deployed to support the incident response.

While historical data, community feedback, and detailed budgets can be useful for planning and assessing response capabilities, the IAP's primary focus is to provide immediate actionable instructions for managing the ongoing incident. Historical data informs future planning but is not an immediate part of the action steps outlined in an IAP. Community input is essential for overall preparedness and recovery but does not form the core content of the IAP itself. A comprehensive budget may be necessary for financial planning, but it is typically not detailed within the IAP, which focuses more on operational aspects.