Which action best describes how utilities should be managed at an incident?

• A. Notify utility companies, secure gas/electrical shutoffs, and coordinate shutdowns to prevent hazards; treat as scene safety
• B. Post security to the utilities office and wait for orders
• C. Ignore utilities unless the fire is near main lines
• D. Evacuate all nearby structures before notifying utilities

Answer: (A)

Managing utilities at an incident centers on making the scene safe by quickly bringing energy sources under control. The best approach is to notify utility companies so trained personnel can assess the situation, then secure gas and electrical shutoffs and coordinate any necessary shutdowns. This prevents sparks, ignitions, gas leaks, or further electrical hazards from fueling the incident, and it keeps responders and the public safer as operations proceed. Treating utilities as part of scene safety means integrating their actions with incident command and ensuring shutoffs are done properly and safely.

Why this works best compared to the others: waiting for orders from others is too slow and can leave hazards active; ignoring utilities unless the problem is near a main line ignores potential hidden dangers and can allow hazards to persist; evacuating nearby structures before notifying utilities may protect people but doesn’t address the immediate energy hazards and can delay essential shutdown actions. The proactive, coordinated approach directly reduces risk and supports effective incident control.