Sample Delegation of Authority Letter
[Letterhead]
[Date]
Memorandum
To: Team Leader/Co-Lead Team Leader [Names], Serious Accident Investigation
From: Delegating Official(s) [Name(s)]
Subject: Joint Delegation of Authority—Serious Accident Investigation [Names]
This memorandum formalizes your appointment as Team Leader/Co-Lead Team Leader to
investigate the accident which occurred on the [Incident Information].
This serious accident investigation (SAI) will be conducted as an interagency investigation
between the [Agency] and [Agency]. As such, the SAI shall be investigated cooperatively
following [Agency’s] policy.
This investigation will be conducted as an interagency serious accident investigation team
(SAIT) with co-leads from each agency. Your duties as Co-Lead Team Leaders for your
respective agencies may include, but are not limited to:
1. Following established guidelines and policies [List Policies]:
EXAMPLES:
DOI, Departmental Manual (DM) 485 Chapter 7, and USDA Forest Service
Manual FSM 6700, Chapter 6730
Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book),
Chapter 18 – Reviews and Investigations
Wildland Fire and Aviation Program Management and Operations Guide (Blue
Book), Chapter 18 – Reviews and Investigations (Bureau of Indian Affairs)
2. Organizing, conducting, and controlling the accident investigation in accordance
with the Interagency Serious Accident Investigation Guide.
3. Conducting an analysis of human elements and organizational factors that may have
influenced the accident.
4. Briefing affected agency officials as appropriate, including a closeout with affected
agency personnel.
5. Coordinating information exchange between the team members and all pertinent
involved agencies, including local law enforcement, OSHA, and the medical
examiner/coroner’s office.
6. Maintaining liaison with affected agency units.
7. Approving and allocating requests for funds related to conducting the investigation.
8. Securing technical, logistical or other support necessary to conduct the
investigation.
9. Coordinating the scheduling of interviews and other activities with other line-of-
duty entities such as Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams, and
funeral/memorial services.
10. Briefing Delegating Official(s) or delegates as appropriate within each affected
agency.
11. Providing the following formal reports:
72-Hour Expanded Report
Final Report—Includes both the Factual and Management Evaluation Reports
These reports are due within 45 days from the time of the accident.
An extension may be requested and will be sent to each Agency Administrator
for approval. All requests will be in writing and will include rationale for the
extension.
12. Present a draft Final Report to the Delegating Official(s). This process may also
include presenting draft Final Report to Accident Review Board(s).
13. The official Office of Record for the final case file will be [Office Name].
The Final Report will be prepared in accordance with agency standards or as outlined in the
Interagency Serious Accident Investigation Guide. Addendums to the report may be necessary as
a result of an Agency Review Board process.
You will be provided an agency-specific charge code for all travel and associated costs to
conduct the investigation.
Delegating Official, [Agency]
[Name]
[Title]
Delegating Official, [Agency]
[Name]
[Title]
cc: [Names]
