Which of the following would not typically be included in the transfer of command briefing?
A transfer-of-command briefing covers the current situation status, incident objectives and priorities, current organization, resource status/assignments, and safety concerns. Items that would NOT typically be included are extraneous ones—such as individual agency representatives' special requests or routine demobilization paperwork—that are not part of the standard briefing.
The answer
In the Incident Command System (ICS), a transfer of command briefing hands off command from one Incident Commander to the next. Its purpose is to bring the incoming commander fully up to speed quickly and completely. A proper briefing typically includes:
- Situation status — what has happened and current conditions
- Incident objectives and priorities — what needs to be accomplished
- Current organization — how the ICS structure is set up and who fills key roles
- Resource status and assignments — what resources are on scene, ordered, or available, and what they are doing
- Incident potential and safety concerns — hazards, risks, and safety of responders
- Constraints, limitations, and any facilities in use
The question asks for the item that would NOT typically be in that briefing. The correct choice is the distractor that falls outside this standard content—for example, a special request from an individual agency representative or detailed demobilization/administrative records. Those belong to other processes (liaison coordination or the demobilization plan), not to the command-transfer briefing.
Why the other options are wrong
The standard ICS briefing content items are all legitimately included, so on this MCQ they are the wrong answers to a 'NOT included' question:
- Situation status / current conditions — always included; it is the foundation of the handoff.
- Objectives and priorities — always included; the new commander must know the goals.
- Current organization / assignments — always included; the incoming IC needs the org chart and who is doing what.
- Resource status — always included; knowing available and committed resources is essential.
- Safety considerations — always included; responder safety is a top ICS priority.
Because each of those genuinely belongs, the answer to 'which would NOT be included' is the outlier item that has nothing to do with orienting the incoming commander to command the incident right now.
The bigger picture
Transfer of command occurs for defined reasons: a more qualified person arrives, the incident grows or shrinks in complexity, jurisdiction or agency responsibility changes, personnel need rest/rotation on long incidents, or the incident is resolving. Whenever command transfers, the process should include notifying all personnel that a change is taking place.
A useful way to remember it: the briefing is about "where we are and where we're going," not about administrative paperwork or one-off requests. If an answer option describes routine records, personal requests, or something unrelated to operating the incident, it is the item that does not belong in the transfer-of-command briefing. Keeping the briefing focused on situation, objectives, organization, resources, and safety is what lets the incoming commander take charge without losing momentum.
| Current situation status / conditions | Yes — included |
| Incident objectives and priorities | Yes — included |
| Current ICS organization and assignments | Yes — included |
| Resource status (on-scene, ordered, available) | Yes — included |
| Safety concerns and incident potential | Yes — included |
| Individual agency reps' special requests | No — not typically included |
| Routine demobilization / administrative records | No — not typically included |
Frequently asked
What is included in a transfer of command briefing?
It includes the current situation status, incident objectives and priorities, the current ICS organization and assignments, resource status, incident potential, and safety concerns. The goal is to fully orient the incoming Incident Commander so they can assume command effectively.
When does transfer of command occur in ICS?
It occurs when a more qualified person assumes command, when incident complexity changes, when jurisdiction or agency responsibility shifts, when personnel need rest on extended incidents, or when the incident is being demobilized. All personnel should be notified of the change.
What are the steps of transfer of command?
The incoming commander (when possible) assesses the situation, the current commander delivers the transfer-of-command briefing covering situation, objectives, organization, resources, and safety, command is formally transferred, and all personnel are notified of who is now in command.
What is the difference between transfer of command and an operational period briefing?
A transfer-of-command briefing hands responsibility from one Incident Commander to another at any time it is needed. An operational period briefing presents the Incident Action Plan to supervisors at the start of a new operational period. They serve different purposes.