What is typically assessed during the size-up process?

During the size-up process, the primary focus is on assessing possible hazards and risks. This critical step involves gathering and evaluating information about the scene, identifying potential dangers that could affect both responders and victims, and determining the appropriate strategies for managing the incident safely. By understanding what hazards are present, such as fire conditions, structural stability, or environmental factors, firefighters can make informed decisions on how to proceed with the response.

While budget constraints, community impact, and length of incident management are important aspects of emergency management and planning in a broader sense, they are not directly evaluated during the immediate size-up. The size-up process is focused on the urgent need to gather situational awareness and assess safety risks to ensure an effective and safe response to the incident at hand.