During a transfer of command, what must the incoming IC do to confirm the transfer is official?

• A. Provide a new briefing
• B. Standby for 10 minutes
• C. Request confirmation from all agencies
• D. Repeat back the briefing or status report to the outgoing IC

Answer: (D)

Confirming the transition of command is a formal verbal handoff, and the incoming IC must repeat back the briefing or status report to the outgoing IC. This back-check ensures the incoming IC has understood the critical information—incident objectives, current actions, resource assignments, safety considerations—and is ready to assume responsibility. It creates a clear, auditable moment where both parties agree on the current situation and priorities, reducing the risk of miscommunication or gaps in accountability. Merely providing a new briefing, waiting for a timeout, or asking all agencies for confirmation do not establish that the command handoff has been officially received and accepted.