In hazmat response, what must be done before contacting contaminated victims and equipment?

• A. Evacuate
• B. Decontaminate before contact with victims and equipment
• C. Enter the area
• D. Provide first aid

Answer: (B)

Decontaminate before contact with victims and equipment. Removing or neutralizing the contaminant from people and gear before you touch them prevents spreading the agent to responders, other victims, and clean equipment or surfaces. In hazmat operations, you move from the contaminated area to a decon corridor and then into clean zones to avoid carrying contamination forward. Only after decontamination is complete should responders make contact to assess or provide first aid, and handle or transport gear, because doing so with contamination present risks secondary exposure and cross-contamination. Evacuation and entering the hot zone are part of scene management, but they do not substitute for the protective step of decontamination before contact.