What is a necessary action upon arrival at a hazardous materials incident?

Upon arriving at a hazardous materials incident, notifying the hazardous materials response team is a critical action that must be taken. This team possesses specialized training, equipment, and procedures to effectively assess and manage the situation. Their involvement is essential for ensuring the safety of both responders and the public, as they are equipped to deal with the unique challenges posed by hazardous materials.

It is crucial to establish a proper response umbrella, which includes informing the hazardous materials team, as they can provide additional resources, knowledge, and support necessary to address the incident safely. The initial responders often focus on immediate actions like securing the perimeter and ensuring safety before the specialized team arrives to take more extensive measures.

While the other actions such as victim recovery, isolation of the area, and evacuation of nearby residents are also important, they typically happen after the hazardous materials response team has been notified and assessed the situation. Immediate notification allows for a structured and safe response plan to be enacted, minimizing potential dangers associated with the hazardous materials present at the scene.