Which of the following is NOT one of the six basic components of the incident command system?

The incident command system (ICS) is a standardized approach used across various emergency response scenarios, ensuring effective coordination and management of resources and personnel. The six basic components of ICS are command, operations, planning, logistics, finance/administration, and communications.

Strategy, while an important concept in emergency management, is more of a theoretical approach to managing incidents rather than a specific component within the structured framework of ICS. The components of ICS are designed to provide clear roles and responsibilities, streamline communication, and facilitate effective incident response. Therefore, it is appropriate to identify strategy as not being one of the formal components of the ICS structure.

Understanding the specific roles of the valid components—like operations, which focuses on managing tactical response and carrying out incident objectives; logistics, which manages resource allocation and support; and finance, which oversees financial aspects of the incident—helps clarify how ICS operates as a coordinated system. Strategy is integrated into the planning component, where future goals and the means to achieve them are developed, but it does not stand alone as an essential component of ICS.