What is the role of a Safety Officer at an incident scene?

The role of a Safety Officer at an incident scene is crucial for ensuring the well-being of all personnel involved in the operation. This individual is responsible for continuously monitoring safety conditions and practices at the scene, assessing potential hazards, and implementing measures to mitigate risks. The Safety Officer observes ongoing activities, identifies unsafe behaviors, and has the authority to halt operations if they pose a threat to the safety of crew members. By prioritizing safety protocols and ensuring compliance, the Safety Officer plays a vital role in preventing accidents and injuries during emergency response operations.

In terms of the other options, leading the firefighting team typically falls under the responsibility of an Incident Commander or Operations Section Chief, who oversees the entire incident management process rather than focusing solely on safety. Communicating with the media involves public relations duties that are managed by a Public Information Officer, ensuring accurate information dissemination without compromising operational integrity. Recording incident details pertains to documentation tasks, which are generally handled by support personnel or designated documentation officers to ensure an accurate account of events for after-action reviews.