Which command structure is used when two or more agencies share command?

• A. Joint Command
• B. Unified Command
• C. Single Command
• D. Collaborative Command

Answer: (B)

When two or more agencies share command, Unified Command is used. In this setup, agencies with different authorities come together to establish a single set of incident objectives and coordinate all activities under one integrated incident management structure. Each agency runs its own internal command still, but they align under a common action plan, shared priorities, and coordinated resource use. This prevents conflicting directions and ensures a unified approach across jurisdictions.

Single Command applies when only one agency leads the incident. Joint Command and Collaborative Command aren’t standard ICS terms, so they don’t describe the formal structure used for multi-agency command.