What is the primary consideration for an EMA contact during a hazmat incident?

The primary consideration for an Emergency Management Agency (EMA) contact during a hazardous materials (hazmat) incident is public safety. This focus is essential because the primary role of emergency management during such incidents is to protect the lives and health of individuals in the affected area, as well as first responders. Hazmat situations can pose significant risk to the community due to the potential for exposure to toxic substances, environmental contamination, and the chance of secondary incidents.

Ensuring the safety of the public involves immediate assessments of the hazard, the establishment of safe zones, effective communication to inform residents of necessary precautions, and the coordination of resources to manage the incident safely. While other factors such as cost management, policy enforcement, and traffic management may be considered in the overall response, they do not take precedence over the critical need to protect public health and safety in the face of a hazardous materials situation.