What level of government responds to an incident that exceeds the capabilities of local jurisdictions?

In the context of incident response, when a situation exceeds the capabilities of local jurisdictions, it is typically the state government that steps in to provide assistance. State governments are designed to support local jurisdictions during emergencies by deploying additional resources, coordinating response efforts, and providing necessary funding or aid. This is in alignment with the principles of the National Response Framework, which emphasizes a tiered response system.

Local jurisdictions are responsible for initial response efforts, but when they are overwhelmed, state governments can activate their emergency plans. This can include mobilizing state agencies, employing the National Guard, or requesting federal assistance if the situation escalates further. Understanding this tiered approach is crucial to grasp how the response system functions during emergencies and how responsibilities shift as the scale of the incident grows.

The correct answer reflects this progressive response structure, ensuring that each level of government can efficiently contribute according to its capabilities and resources available.