Which of the following actions should be taken first when managing a potentially hazardous scene?

Ensuring personal safety is the foremost priority when managing a potentially hazardous scene. Before any other actions are taken, it is crucial for first responders to assess and secure their own safety. This may involve identifying hazards such as fire, electrical risks, or hazardous materials in the environment. If the EMT or other first responders do not first take steps to protect themselves, they risk becoming victims themselves, which could further complicate the situation and decrease overall effectiveness in providing care.

Once personal safety is established, the responder can then move on to taking appropriate actions, such as beginning patient care, assessing the situation for multiple patients, or calling for additional resources. Each of these subsequent steps is important, but they rely on the primary condition that the responder is safe to act. By prioritizing personal safety first, EMTs can ensure that they are in a position to help patients without jeopardizing their own well-being.