Emergency Response and Incident Management
Response Priorities
In any emergency, prioritize life safety, then incident stabilization, then property protection. Know your role: you are typically the first responder on scene until police, fire, or EMS arrive. Establish command briefly, then transfer it. Secure the scene, isolate hazards, and control access.
Common Incidents
Understand basic response to fire (alarm, evacuation, extinguisher only if trained and safe), medical emergencies (call EMS, do not move the injured unless in danger), and active threats (evacuate, shelter, or defend per policy). Know the difference between evacuation and shelter-in-place.
Traps
- Entering a hazardous area without protection.
- Moving an injured person unnecessarily.
- Failing to establish a perimeter.
- Forgetting to document the incident and the response timeline.
Worked Example
A small trash fire in a hallway: sound the alarm, evacuate the area, call fire, attempt extinguishment only if trained and the exit remains clear, then document. Rule of thumb: protect people first, property second.