When an Operations Section has not been staffed, staging reports to:

• A. Command
• B. Logistics
• C. Planning
• D. Finance

Answer: (A)

Staging is the holding area where resources sit ready for deployment. If the Operations Section hasn’t been staffed yet, there isn’t an Operations manager to oversee that staging function. In that situation, the Incident Commander directly oversees the staging area to maintain clear command and control and to ensure resources can be rapidly directed once staffing is in place. Once the Operations Section is staffed, staging is typically managed by the Logistics side to support ongoing operations. The other offices—Planning focuses on the incident action plan, Finance handles costs and procurement—do not supervise the staging area in this context.