Which role does the Planning Section serve during an incident response?

The Planning Section plays a crucial role during an incident response by evaluating resources and developing action plans. This section is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information related to the incident. It assesses the current situation, forecasts potential future conditions, and identifies required resources.

By developing action plans, the Planning Section ensures that all response efforts are strategically coordinated and support the overarching objectives of the incident management operation. These plans dictate how resources will be allocated, what tasks need to be accomplished, and establish time frames for operations, ultimately guiding the operational efforts on the ground.

The other choices relate to different functions within the incident management framework. For example, managing financial documentation is typically a function of the Finance/Administration Section, coordinating field operations is handled by the Operations Section, and representing agency interests falls under the Public Information or Liaison roles, rather than the Planning Section's primary tasks.