What is the first step upon arriving at a hazardous materials incident?

• A. isolation of the area and prevention of entry.
• B. victim recovery.
• C. identification of the spilled or released product.
• D. notification of the hazardous materials response team.

Answer: (A)

Safety of people and the scene comes first. Isolating the area and preventing entry establishes a safe zone that limits exposure to bystanders and responders and prevents the release from spreading. With the perimeter in place, responders can assess the situation, avoid adding new victims, and coordinate a proper response without rushing into danger. Only after the area is secured do you move on to identifying the spilled product, initiating victim care or rescue under protective measures, and notifying the HazMat team so they can respond with the right equipment and procedures. Victim recovery without a secured scene can spread contamination and put more people at risk, and product identification or early notification without a safe perimeter can be unreliable or unsafe.