North Carolina Correctional Officer State Practice Exam

What is the primary action to take during a man-made disaster, according to standard procedures?

1. Communicate with law enforcement

2. Evacuate and protect

3. Seek medical assistance

4. Identify key personnel

The correct answer is: Evacuate and protect

In the context of a man-made disaster, the primary action to take is to evacuate and protect. This response prioritizes the safety of individuals involved, as well as minimizing potential harm during the disaster. Evacuating affected areas helps to remove individuals from danger, while protecting involves ensuring that those who cannot evacuate are secured and safeguarded from further risk. An efficient response to such emergencies often centers around maintaining order and prioritizing human safety, which is why evacuation and protection are emphasized. Following this initial step, other actions, such as communicating with law enforcement or seeking medical assistance, can be seamlessly integrated into the ongoing response efforts. Identifying key personnel, while important for coordination, typically comes after ensuring immediate safety through evacuation and protection measures.