Which of the following is one of the seven critical tasks?

• A. Establish command post
• B. Coordinate media relations
• C. Notify the public relations office
• D. Plan community outreach

Answer: (A)

Establishing the command post is the correct choice because setting up a centralized location for command and control is a foundational step in incident management. The command post serves as the hub where the incident commander and staff organize operations, assign resources, maintain situational awareness, and coordinate with other agencies. Having this post in place early ensures clear leadership, effective communication, and a coordinated response from the start. While coordinating public information and community outreach are important, they fall under separate aspects of the response and are not typically listed among the initial seven critical tasks focused on establishing command and control.