Who serves as the incident Commander during a school crisis?

• A. Teacher
• B. Principal
• C. Superintendent
• D. School Counselor

Answer: (B)

In a school crisis, the person in charge on the scene who coordinates safety actions, communicates with emergency responders, and directs staff decisions is the incident commander. This role requires immediate authority over school operations and the ability to make quick, high-stakes decisions about lockdowns, evacuations, reunification, and resource use. The principal fits best because they have the on-site authority to implement safety procedures, know the building and staffing, can mobilize and delegate tasks across the school, and serve as the main point of contact for families and responders. A classroom teacher handles safety within their own room but lacks the authority to direct the entire school. The superintendent is district-level and typically not on site to manage day-to-day incident operations. The school counselor provides vital emotional and psychosocial support but does not assume overall incident command.