Who usually leads the planning and preparation for multi-agency drills?

The correct answer is that the fire department's emergency manager usually leads the planning and preparation for multi-agency drills. This person is responsible for coordinating activities among various agencies involved in emergency management. Their role is crucial because they typically have the expertise and experience needed to develop comprehensive training scenarios that involve multiple organizations, ensuring that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities during an incident.

The emergency manager brings together representatives from various agencies to establish objectives for the drill, promote inter-agency communication, and address logistical challenges that can arise when coordinating training among different teams. By doing so, they foster collaboration and ensure that all entities work together cohesively in practice, which is vital for effective real-world response during actual emergencies.

Other roles, such as the Training Officer, Incident Incident Commander, or Safety Officer, also contribute to different aspects of drill planning and execution. However, the primary leadership and overarching strategic coordination for multi-agency exercises typically fall under the scope of the fire department's emergency manager, given their broader view of community resources and interoperability among agencies.