Which item is listed first in the EMS request checklist?

• A. Number and location of patients
• B. Type of injury/illness
• C. Age and gender
• D. Scene is secure

Answer: (D)

In EMS responses, safety for everyone comes first. The checklist starts with securing the scene because you must confirm there are no hazards—like traffic, fire, or dangerous chemicals—before approaching patients or asking for help. If the scene isn’t safe, responders can be injured, rescue attempts can be compromised, and patient care can be delayed or derailed.

Only after the scene is deemed secure do you move on to gathering essential information, such as how many patients and where they are, what type of injury or illness is present, and basic patient details. Those elements are important, but they rely on being able to work without additional risk, which is why scene safety is listed first.