Which function is primarily responsible for obtaining supplies and equipment during an incident?

• A. Public Information Officer
• B. Finance
• C. Operations
• D. Procurement Unit

Answer: (D)

Securing supplies and equipment during an incident is a logistics activity focused on provisioning resources to the field. The Procurement Unit is the element that handles obtaining these items—working with vendors, issuing purchase orders or rental contracts, tracking orders, and ensuring delivery to the incident site when and where they are needed. This role keeps operations supported by making sure the right materials—whether consumables, tools, or specialized gear—are available at the right time.

The Public Information Officer focuses on communicating with the public and media, not on acquiring resources. Finance/Administration tracks costs, contracts, and compensation, providing financial support and oversight. Operations directs the tactical response and how resources are actually used in the field. But the task of obtaining and coordinating the actual items required for the incident is the Procurement Unit, which is why it’s the correct choice.