What is the first action that should be taken regarding personnel on scene during an incident?

The first action to take regarding personnel on scene during an incident is to position them in Base, staging, or rehab. This step is crucial in ensuring that resources are efficiently organized and deployed.

When personnel are initially positioned in Base, staging, or rehab, it provides a structured framework for operations. Base serves as the main incident management command post, and staging areas are designated locations where resources are held and assigned as needed. Additionally, rehabilitation areas are set up for personnel to recover and recuperate to maintain their safety and effectiveness throughout the incident.

This organizational step allows for clear accountability, the effective management of resources, and ensures that personnel are not overloaded or deployed without a clear mission. Moreover, by establishing these areas, it creates a safer environment for both responders and civilians, ensuring that personnel can be effectively monitored and dispatched as situations change. Without this initial positioning, subsequent actions such as task assignments or reassignments could lead to confusion and inefficiencies at the incident scene.