When selecting a decontamination site, what is the first priority?

When selecting a decontamination site, the foremost priority is the safety of personnel. This means ensuring that the site chosen minimizes exposure risks to emergency responders, contaminated individuals, and the public. A safe site will have a low risk of exposure to hazardous materials, adequate equipment for the decontamination process, and good ventilation if chemical agents are present.

Choosing a site based on accessibility, proximity to the incident, or size is important, but those factors come secondary to safety. If a site is accessible but poses a risk of contamination to responders, it would not be an appropriate choice. Similarly, if an area is close to the incident but unsafe, or if it is adequately sized but lacks safety measures, it would not serve its purpose effectively. Thus, the first priority is ensuring that all personnel involved are protected from harm while administering decontamination procedures.