The initial part of assessment is:

• A. Calling for the appropriate help to mitigate the incident
• B. Securing the area of the emergency
• C. Determining the appropriate actions to be taken recommended by the Emergency Response Guidebook
• D. Recognizing the presence of hazardous materials

Answer: (D)

Recognizing that hazardous materials are present is the first step in incident assessment. In hazmat situations, the scene size-up starts with identifying indicators of a hazmat release—placards or labels, container shapes and conditions, spills or vapor clouds, unusual odors, or reports from witnesses. This recognition tells you whether you’re dealing with hazardous materials and what level of protection and response is needed. Once you know hazardous materials are involved, you can secure the area, call for the right specialists, and use the Emergency Response Guidebook to determine the appropriate actions. Without this recognition, you risk exposing yourself and others or choosing incorrect procedures. The other actions—securing the area, deciding actions from the ERG, and calling for help—are all proper steps that follow after identifying the hazard.