Before anyone can enter water or ice, what must the Incident Commander (IC) have?

The correct response underscores the importance of a thorough understanding of the situation before proceeding with any rescue operation in water or ice. The Incident Commander (IC) needs to conduct an accurate scene size-up, which involves assessing the environment, identifying potential hazards, and determining the specific conditions of the water or ice, as well as other relevant factors. This ensures that the IC can make informed decisions regarding safety measures and the overall approach to the rescue.

Approval of intended actions is critical, as the IC must ensure that all planned actions are feasible and safe based on the current conditions observed during the size-up. This level of preparation helps in mitigating risks for rescuers and victims alike.

While confirmation of water temperature and swimming abilities, approval from the fire chief, and a list of available resources are important considerations in a rescue operation, they are secondary to the need for a comprehensive understanding of the scene and a clear plan of action. Without a proper size-up and approval process in place, any subsequent actions may be misguided or hazardous.