Which ICS role handles official statements and updates to the public and media?

• A. Public Information Officer
• B. Liaison Officer
• C. Incident Commander
• D. Fire Chief

Answer: (A)

The person responsible for official statements and updates to the public and media is the Public Information Officer. This role is part of the ICS Command Staff and acts as the trusted single point of contact for press inquiries, releases official statements, and coordinates public messaging with the Incident Commander to ensure information is accurate and timely. The Liaison Officer focuses on coordinating with external agencies and jurisdictions, not public communications. The Incident Commander directs the overall incident strategy and operations, not the public-facing updates. The Fire Chief leads the department but public communications during an incident are handled through the Public Information Officer within ICS.