The role of the safety officer in the ICS is primarily to:

The role of the safety officer in the Incident Command System (ICS) is crucial for ensuring the well-being of all personnel involved in emergency response operations. The primary responsibility of this position is to monitor and evaluate safety conditions at the incident scene, identifying potential hazards and ensuring that safety measures are implemented effectively. This may involve conducting risk assessments, giving safety briefings, enforcing safety protocols, and advising the incident commander on safety-related matters.

By prioritizing the safety of personnel, the safety officer plays a pivotal role in minimizing injuries and fatalities during operations, allowing responders to perform their duties while reducing exposure to risks. While developing safety protocols and managing aspects of communications can be part of the broader responsibilities surrounding safety, the fundamental focus of the safety officer remains on safeguarding those who are actively working in the field.