What practice maintains continuity of command during transfer?

• A. Informal handoff without documentation.
• B. Formal briefings.
• C. Solely relying on prior notes.
• D. Delegating to a non-IC.

Answer: (B)

Continuity of command during transfer depends on a structured, documented handoff that leaves the incoming incident commander with a clear, shared understanding of the situation. A formal briefing accomplishes this by systematically communicating the incident status, current objectives, assigned resources, safety concerns, and any outstanding tasks, and by capturing it with documentation and a sign-off that confirms the handover has occurred. This creates a common mental model, preserves accountability, and provides an auditable record of what needs to be done, reducing the chance of miscommunication or gaps in critical information. Informal handoffs without documentation can miss key details; relying only on previous notes may overlook updates or tacit knowledge; and handing command to someone who is not the designated incident commander undermines the chain of command and safety. Therefore, formal briefings are the best practice for maintaining continuity of command during transfer.