In an initial incident, who is responsible for conducting the size-up?

The first responder to arrive at the scene of an incident is responsible for conducting the size-up. This process is critical during the initial stages of an incident because the first responder must quickly assess the situation to understand the scope, size, and potential hazards involved. The size-up includes evaluating the conditions, identifying risks to life and property, and determining the resources needed to manage the incident safely and effectively.

This assessment allows the responder to formulate an initial action plan and to communicate vital information to incoming resources and command personnel. Prompt and accurate size-up is essential for making informed decisions that will influence the overall response strategy and ensure that critical resources are deployed appropriately.

While the roles of the incident investigator, emergency management coordinator, and public information officer are important in their respective contexts, they do not directly engage in the immediate size-up process during the first response phase. Their responsibilities come into play later in the response or recovery efforts.