Which section is responsible for preparing the incident action plan (IAP)?

The Planning Section Chief is responsible for preparing the Incident Action Plan (IAP) within the context of emergency management and incident response. The IAP serves as a crucial document that outlines the objectives, strategies, and tactics for an incident, facilitating effective response and coordination among various agencies.

The Planning Section is specifically tasked with collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information, as well as understanding the incident's current status, which is essential for drafting an accurate IAP. This section gathers input from other sections and stakeholders to ensure that all operational needs and objectives are addressed in the IAP, enhancing situational awareness and guiding response efforts.

In contrast, the Operations Section Chief focuses on the implementation of the IAP and managing resources directly involved in the incident response. The Logistics Section Chief oversees the provision of resources and support needed for the response, while the Finance/Administration Section Chief manages financial and administrative aspects of the incident. While each of these roles plays a vital part in the overall incident management structure, none of them are responsible for the creation of the IAP, making the Planning Section Chief the correct and most relevant choice for this question.