What term describes when multiple jurisdictions jointly decide on incident objectives and appoint a single operations chief?

The term that describes the situation where multiple jurisdictions jointly decide on incident objectives and appoint a single operations chief is unified command. This approach is essential in managing incidents that cross jurisdictional lines, allowing different agencies and organizations to work together cohesively while maintaining their individual responsibilities.

Unified command establishes a single set of objectives that all responding organizations can agree upon, thereby enhancing coordination and communication among them. In a unified command structure, representatives from each involved agency or jurisdiction work collaboratively in decision-making, ensuring that all perspectives and resources are integrated into the response strategy.

This method is particularly effective in complex incidents, such as large-scale emergencies or disasters, where different authorities must coordinate their efforts while dealing with overlapping areas of responsibility. It contrasts with other command structures that might not facilitate such collaboration, which could potentially lead to conflicts or inefficiencies in response efforts.