In unified command, which arrangement describes the sharing of authority?

• A. Each subordinate is accountable to only one supervisor.
• B. Representatives from different agencies share command authority.
• C. The chain of command is strictly adhered to.
• D. All members share identical objectives.

Answer: (B)

Sharing command authority is the hallmark of unified command. In this setup, leaders from all involved agencies come to the incident with equal standing and jointly participate in issuing orders, approving the incident action plan, and directing operations. This ensures decisions reflect each agency’s authority and perspective, prevents conflicting directions, and keeps resources aligned toward a common objective. While each agency retains its own authority and resources, they designate a representative to the command team so the group can coordinate as one command. The result is a cohesive response where everyone works toward the same incident objectives under a single, integrated plan.