Who typically fills the role of the incident commander in a high-rise fire scenario?

In a high-rise fire scenario, the role of the incident commander is typically filled by a Chief Officer. This person is responsible for overseeing the entire operation and making critical decisions regarding the strategic approach to managing the incident. The Chief Officer has the experience, authority, and operational knowledge necessary to coordinate multiple resources effectively, assess the situation, communicate with other emergency services, and ensure the safety of both responders and occupants.

The Chief Officer takes into account various factors, such as building construction, occupancy type, potential hazards, and available resources. This level of responsibility requires someone with a comprehensive understanding of fireground dynamics and the management of both personnel and equipment in a complex structure like a high-rise building.