Elected and appointed officials should provide input on policy, direction, and authority to the IC/UC. Proper coordination between elected and appointed officials and the IC/UC can be crucial to the successful management of an incident.
As time and agency policy dictate, the following considerations should be clearly communicated, documented, and provided to the IC/UC:
- Safety considerations.
- Environmental issues.
- Legal and policy limitations.
- Issues relating to critical infrastructure services or restoration.
- Economic, political, and social concerns.
- Cost considerations.
In some circumstances, if information is not delineated in policies or laws, it should be defined through a formal delegation of authority or letter of expectation.