What term describes the official strategy employed by an incident commander during an emergency?

The term that best describes the official strategy employed by an incident commander during an emergency is known as the Incident Action Plan. This plan outlines the responding team's objectives, strategies, and tactics for managing an incident effectively.

An Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a critical component of emergency management as it provides a clear framework for operations, ensuring that all responders understand their roles and responsibilities. It typically includes specific information regarding the incident objectives, operational periods, resources required, and safety considerations, allowing for coordinated and efficient responses.

Choosing the Incident Action Plan reflects an understanding of the structured approach taken during emergency situations, aligning with established incident command system protocols. Other terms like operational plan, response strategy, and emergency protocol, while related to emergency management, do not capture the comprehensive nature of an IAP in terms of detailing the immediate actions and objectives that guide the incident response.