Emergency 07 • 21 • 2022

Scene
Safety

REDOBLE, JEANINE B.
Your Safety Comes First When Responding
to an Emergency

The scene of an emergency is often chaotic. Friends, family, concerned

bystanders and first responders are reacting simultaneously. The environment
surrounding the scene may also pose a risk to the victim and those responding.
Putting yourself in harm’s way to help someone who is ill or injured can make
the situation worse, leading to more chaos and potentially more victims. Your
safety comes first and is of the upmost importance when responding to an
emergency.
Scene Safety
The FREEING of an emergency response scene
of immediate dangers and hazards.
Scene Safety
• Scene safety is paramount in the Emergency Medical Service
(EMS) profession. It is the first priority when responding to any
kind of emergency.

• If a scene is considered "safe," this means there are not any

obvious potential threats or hazards that could impede the EMTs
from doing their work or bring them harm.
 Emergency Scene Safety
When entering a scene, EMTs are taught priorities in a
specific order:
1. Personal safety.
2. Safety of their partners or colleagues, and;
3. Care of the patient.
Scene Safety
It is also important to note that just because a scene is initially
"safe" does not guarantee that it will remain so. Perhaps a new
individual arrives and poses a threat. Scene safety is
continuously evolving and requires constant reassessment.
 Significance

Scene safety is an important concept to remember and practice

when working in the field. First responders should always
protect themselves and their teams while working in the field -
both before and while rendering patient care. Keeping a high
suspicion for danger through observation and preparedness will
result in a successful mission. First responders must be safe and
healthy to ensure that their patients remain safe.
Thanks!