What information gathering during size-up is used by the incident commander to make decisions on arrival?

• A. To gather information about the scene
• B. To secure the area
• C. To update the incident action plan
• D. To direct personnel to exit

Answer: (A)

On arrival, the incident commander gathers essential scene information to guide initial decisions. This rapid size-up focuses on what’s burning and where, the building type and occupancy, visibility and smoke conditions, signs of life, and any hazards such as gas, electrical risks, or potential collapse. It also notes access and egress points and the available water supply and nearby exposures. That snapshot directly informs what actions to take first—whether to attack from the outside or interior, to search for occupants, to evacuate or shelter-in-place, to ventilate, and what resources to request. These findings shape the initial incident action plan.

Securing the area and directing personnel to exit are important operational actions, but they’re safety and tactical steps rather than the information being gathered to drive early decisions. Updating the incident action plan is a response to the size-up findings as the situation evolves, not the primary information gathered on arrival.