Which of the following is one of the seven critical tasks?

• A. Establish inner perimeter
• B. Coordinate media relations
• C. Notify the public relations office
• D. Deploy a crowd-control barrier at random

Answer: (A)

Establishing an inner perimeter focuses on on-scene security and control. Creating this boundary around the incident centers safety and ensures that only authorized personnel can approach the most critical area, which protects victims, preserves evidence, and allows responders to work without interference. It also sets the stage for subsequent actions like defining the outer perimeter and staging areas, making it a foundational step in incident management.

Coordinating media relations and notifying the public relations office fall under public information functions, which are important but not the immediate on-scene task that secures the area. Deploying a crowd-control barrier without a plan would be chaotic and unsafe; barriers must be placed with purpose, under command, and in coordination with perimeter planning to maintain order and safety.