During a hazardous materials incident, which of the following should be established first?

Establishing a command center for response coordination during a hazardous materials incident is crucial because it serves as the central hub for managing the incident effectively. The command center allows for organized communication among various responding agencies and ensures that response efforts are well-coordinated, reducing confusion and improving the overall efficiency of the response operation.

A command center streamlines decision-making processes and enables the incident commander to allocate resources effectively while maintaining situational awareness. It facilitates the gathering and distribution of critical information regarding the hazardous material involved, the impact on the surrounding area, and the status of containment or mitigation efforts.

In contrast, while an evacuation plan is important, it needs to be developed based on information and strategy that emerges from the command center. Community awareness programs and budgeting are significant for long-term risk management but are not immediate priorities during a hazardous materials incident. The primary focus at the onset of such incidents is effective coordination to ensure the safety of responders and the public.