What is the first action in developing an Incident Action Plan?

The first action in developing an Incident Action Plan is to evaluate the situation. This step is crucial as it involves gathering comprehensive information about the incident, including the nature and extent of the emergency, environmental conditions, and any immediate hazards. By thoroughly evaluating the situation, the incident commander can establish a clear understanding of what resources will be needed and what challenges will be faced. This foundational assessment allows for informed decision-making and forms the basis for all subsequent actions in the planning process, such as resource allocation and task assignment. Without a proper evaluation, decisions made in later steps may not adequately address the situation at hand, potentially leading to inefficient response efforts.