Who serves as the command's point of contact for representatives from outside agencies?

The liaison officer serves as the command's point of contact for representatives from outside agencies, playing a crucial role in incident management. This position is essential for facilitating communication and coordination between the incident management team and various external organizations, such as governmental and non-governmental agencies.

The liaison officer is responsible for ensuring that information flows smoothly and that all parties involved are kept informed about the incident status, resource needs, and operational plans. This centralized point of contact helps in preventing miscommunication and overlaps in responsibilities among diverse agencies, thereby enhancing overall operational effectiveness.

In contrast, other roles mentioned in the options have different functions; for example, the planning director focuses on developing incident action plans and resource allocation, while the staging chief manages the staging area for resources and personnel. The agency representative typically pertains to specific organizations but does not serve as the overarching liaison for all outside agencies.