What is the primary purpose of having potable hand-held radios during an incident?

The primary purpose of having potable hand-held radios during an incident is to allow for rapid response capabilities. These radios enable instant communication among responders, which is crucial when time is of the essence in emergency situations. By using hand-held radios, personnel can quickly share critical information, coordinate efforts, and react promptly to changing conditions on the ground. This immediacy is vital for effective incident management, ensuring that teams can adapt their actions based on real-time updates and instructions.

Other options, while important, do not capture the core function of hand-held radios as effectively. For instance, while improving personal accountability is essential, it typically aligns with broader strategies and systems rather than the direct use of radios in the field. Similarly, establishing communication among occupants and enhancing notification of emergency situations are important aspects of emergency management, but they do not specifically highlight the instantaneous and tactical communication needs that hand-held radios satisfy among responders during an incident.