The actions that are required of the first arriving officer at a hazmat incident are as follows. Make a comprehensive size up, assume command, request sufficient resources, identify the products involved, determine the immediate need for rescue and evacuation, establish scene control by isolating the area and denying access, consider diking or diverting escaping liquids, eliminate sources of ignition, if there is ignition, take actions to control or minimize the problem. The first arriving officer and crew have a difficult task of defining the problem. Before the dangers of a product can be established, the product must be recognized and identified. You must be alert for signs of a hazmat, and should seek information from all available sources. The more information that is secured, the higher the probability that appropriate actions will be taken to mitigate problems found, thereby reducing the probability of injuries to emergency responders.

Completely agree. The first-arriving officer at a hazmat incident plays a critical role in defining and managing the situation. A thorough size-up, establishing command, requesting resources, and identifying the product are essential first steps. Isolating the scene, preventing ignition, and evaluating the need for evacuation are all vital to responder and public safety. Accurate identification of the material, using all available sources, ensures informed decision-making. Early actions directly impact the success and safety of the entire operation.