Which of the following is considered the first step in responding to a Haz-Mat incident?

Recognizing the incident and activating a response is indeed the first step in responding to a hazardous materials (Haz-Mat) incident. This initial recognition is critical because it helps responders identify the nature of the hazard, assess the potential risks to public safety and the environment, and begin mobilizing appropriate resources and personnel.

Effective incident management begins with situational awareness, which involves understanding what has occurred, the materials involved, and the immediate threats posed by the incident. Once this recognition is made, activating a response ensures that the right teams, equipment, and communication strategies are set in motion, paving the way for subsequent actions such as isolating the area, providing safety equipment, and transitioning command as necessary to manage the incident effectively.

Steps like transitioning command, isolating the area, and distributing safety equipment come into play subsequently and depend on this initial recognition and response activation. Without properly acknowledging and classifying the incident first, these following measures cannot be executed properly or safely.