What is the purpose of a 'handover brief' between shifts?

• A. To allocate new assets and start a new phase.
• B. To transfer responsibility; includes current status, threats, COP updates, and next actions.
• C. To evaluate team members' performance in private.
• D. To publish after-action reports for external agencies.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is transferring responsibility between shifts with a focused, information-rich handover. A handover brief ensures the incoming team has a clear, up-to-date picture of what’s happening and what needs to be done, so operations continue smoothly without gaps. It should cover who is accountable, the current status of ongoing actions, any threats or changes in risk, updates to the Common Operational Picture, and the next actions or priorities for the new shift. This keeps everyone aligned, reduces confusion, and supports fast, informed decision-making.

It’s not about evaluating team members in private, nor about publishing after-action reports to external agencies, nor about allocating assets to start a new phase. Those are separate processes; the handover brief focuses on handing over responsibility and critical situational information for the coming shift.