When blocking traffic at an incident, what should always be prioritized?

The priority when blocking traffic at an incident is the safety of all personnel at the scene. This includes emergency responders, patients, and bystanders. Ensuring safety helps prevent accidents, injuries, and further complications during an emergency response.

When responders effectively establish a safe perimeter and block traffic, they minimize the risk of secondary accidents, allowing for a safe environment to perform necessary medical care and operations. This also involves considering factors such as the positioning of vehicles, strategic placement of warning signs, and clear communication to both responders and the public to maintain a safe scene.

While aspects such as the speed of the rescue operation, cooperation from nearby drivers, and the visibility of warning lights are important, they are secondary to ensuring that all individuals involved are protected from harm. Prioritizing safety creates a secure environment for all operations to proceed effectively and efficiently.