What should you do if you encounter a hazardous materials situation?

In the event of a hazardous materials situation, ensuring scene safety and establishing a safe perimeter is critical. This approach prioritizes the safety of both the emergency responders and any bystanders present at the scene. By assessing the situation from a safe distance and identifying potential hazards, you can prevent exposure to harmful substances and reduce the risk of injury.

Establishing a safe perimeter means cordoning off the area to keep people away from potential dangers, allowing for emergency services to manage the situation effectively while avoiding unnecessary harm. This foundational step is essential before any patient care or intervention occurs, as entering a hazardous environment can expose responders to serious risks, including toxic exposure or physical harm.

In contrast, involving the patients immediately without ensuring safety could lead to greater harm, both to the patients and the responders. Ignoring the hazard and proceeding directly to the patient is both reckless and unsafe, while calling for assistance after entering the scene compromises the responder's safety and potentially that of others. Thus, the most appropriate action in a hazardous materials situation is to ensure scene safety and establish a safe perimeter first.