Who is the initial responder to hazardous material incidents?

In hazardous material incidents, the initial responder is typically law enforcement. Their role is crucial as they are often the first officials on the scene and are tasked with securing the area and ensuring public safety. Law enforcement officers are trained to assess the situation and can implement necessary measures to evacuate the public if required, cordon off the area, and manage the scene until specialized teams arrive.

While other responders, such as the fire department and emergency medical services, also play vital roles, law enforcement's initial responsibilities are focused on security and safety management. Security personnel may not have the authority or training to handle hazardous materials effectively in the same way as law enforcement, making this answer particularly relevant in the context of incident response protocols.