Why is it important for a planning unit to handle demobilization?

The importance of a planning unit handling demobilization lies in their role in coordinating the transition out of an incident. Demobilization is a critical phase following an emergency response, as it ensures that resources, personnel, and equipment are systematically released and returned to their original status or positions. This process helps to re-establish normal operations, minimize confusion, and ensure that all resources are accounted for.

By overseeing this phase, the planning unit can ensure that the withdrawal of resources is done in a controlled manner, thereby preventing any potential gaps in service or support that may occur if demobilization is poorly managed. Additionally, this coordination helps in assessing the overall response and gathering lessons learned to improve future incident responses.