What is the standard structure for an MA incident report?

• A. Executive summary only
• B. 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why), actions taken, witnesses, and signatures; factual and objective
• C. A narrative without dates
• D. A list of equipment used

Answer: (B)

A complete MA incident report must be a clear, verifiable record that captures who, what, when, where, why, and how the incident was handled, with documentation of witnesses and sign-offs. This structure ensures the report is accurate, defensible, and useful for investigations and accountability. Including the five Ws provides the factual basis of what happened and who was involved; detailing actions taken shows how the incident was addressed; listing witnesses allows corroboration of the events; signatures authenticate the document and confirm that the information is complete and correct; and keeping the report factual and objective avoids speculation, making it a reliable record for leadership and any follow-up investigations.

Executive summary alone misses essential details needed for understanding the incident and for future reference. A narrative without dates fails to establish the timeline, which is critical for appeals, investigations, or accountability. A simple list of equipment used does not convey what happened, who was involved, or what actions were taken, so it lacks the context and validation required for an incident record.