The first-arriving company officer at an incident must:

The selection of establishing the Incident Command System (ICS) is pivotal as the first-arriving company officer plays a crucial role in the initial stages of incident management. When an officer arrives at an incident scene, one of their primary responsibilities is to assess the situation and initiate the ICS to ensure effective organization and communication among responding units.

Establishing the ICS allows for a clear hierarchy and defined roles for all personnel involved, which is essential for coordinating efforts and ensuring safety. This system helps in managing resources efficiently, assigning tasks, and keeping track of personnel and equipment, ultimately contributing to a more effective response to the incident.

In contrast, serving as IC throughout the incident might not always be practical or necessary, especially if other personnel with higher authority arrive on scene. It is also not typical for the first officer to be the first member to enter a burning building, as entering hazardous environments should adhere to safety protocols and involve appropriate back-up. Finally, while it is important for the officer to manage the incident effectively, being on-scene for its entirety is not a strict requirement if they need to transition command to more senior officers or shift responsibilities as the situation changes.