Which action is listed first in the initial incident response steps?

• A. Preserve life
• B. Coordination of response
• C. Secure and preserve evidence
• D. Handover of scene to appropriate agency

Answer: (A)

Saving lives comes first in any incident response. The immediate aim is to assess and address life-threatening conditions, provide or arrange medical aid, and ensure casualties are safe from further harm. Once those life safety needs are secured, other important tasks—coordinating the response, securing and preserving evidence, and handing the scene to the appropriate agency—can be carried out without compromising those who are injured. This prioritization ensures that the most critical outcomes are addressed before turning attention to scene management and investigation.