Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Awareness-Level first responder?

The primary responsibility of an Awareness-Level first responder is to recognize the presence or potential presence of hazardous materials. This initial recognition is critical as it lays the foundation for all subsequent actions taken during a hazardous materials incident. Awareness-level responders are typically the first individuals on the scene and are trained to identify signs of hazardous substances and understand basic indicators of hazardous materials incidents.

By recognizing hazardous materials, these responders can ensure their own safety and the safety of the public. This ability to properly identify potential hazards allows them to inform higher-level responders (such as Operations-Level responders) and facilitate a coordinated response to the incident.

Awareness-Level responders do not engage in implementing a plan of action, as that responsibility typically falls to those with more advanced training, nor do they begin offensive actions, which require specialized training and equipment. Additionally, while they may observe aspects of an incident, analyzing the incident in-depth is usually beyond their scope, which is focused primarily on recognition and reporting.