Under the NIMS model, who will establish command at the emergency operations center?

Under the NIMS model, who will establish command at the emergency operations center?

• A. Emergency Manager
• B. City Manager
• C. Governor
• D. Mayor

Answer: (D)

In the NIMS framework, the person who has the legal authority to direct the local government during an emergency establishes command at the Emergency Operations Center. In a city setting, that authority rests with the Mayor. The Mayor activates the EOC, provides policy direction, approves resource use, and coordinates across agencies, ensuring unified action and clear accountability for the response. While the Incident Command System handles on-scene command, the EOC’s command is rooted in the jurisdiction’s lead elected official, which is why the Mayor is the best answer in this context.

In the NIMS framework, the person who has the legal authority to direct the local government during an emergency establishes command at the Emergency Operations Center. In a city setting, that authority rests with the Mayor. The Mayor activates the EOC, provides policy direction, approves resource use, and coordinates across agencies, ensuring unified action and clear accountability for the response. While the Incident Command System handles on-scene command, the EOC’s command is rooted in the jurisdiction’s lead elected official, which is why the Mayor is the best answer in this context.