Which action should an ISO take upon arrival at an incident scene?

Upon arriving at an incident scene, the priority for an Incident Safety Officer (ISO) is to evaluate scene safety first. This involves conducting a thorough assessment of the environment to identify any immediate hazards that could pose risks to responders or civilians. The ISO must ensure that the scene is safe before any further actions are taken, including the deployment of personnel or equipment.

Evaluating scene safety first allows the ISO to establish a clear understanding of the existing conditions and potential dangers, such as hazardous materials, unstable structures, or unique operational challenges. This foundational assessment is crucial for making informed decisions and implementing safety measures to protect all individuals involved in the incident response.

Taking this action sets the stage for effectively managing the incident while prioritizing safety above all else. While assessing potential hazards and gathering equipment are important tasks, they come after ensuring the immediate safety of the scene. Directing all responders immediately without first evaluating the situation could lead to dangerous scenarios, exposing personnel to unnecessary risks. Therefore, prioritizing the evaluation of scene safety helps to create a safer and more efficient response framework.