What action should be taken if there are indications of structural instability at the incident site?

When indications of structural instability are present at an incident site, assessing the integrity of the structure is a critical first step. This action enables responders to determine specific threats posed by the instability, such as potential collapse risks or weaknesses that could endanger personnel operating in the area. By conducting a thorough assessment, safety officers and incident command can gather essential information about the situation, which aids in making informed decisions on resource allocation, necessary evacuations, and operational adjustments to ensure the safety of all personnel involved.

It is vital to understand that simply continuing operations without evaluating the situation could lead to catastrophic outcomes, while immediate evacuation without assessment might result in inefficiencies or overlooking valuable information about the site. Informing the public, while important in some contexts, does not address the immediate safety needs of on-scene personnel and should follow after the integrity assessment is completed.