On arrival at a rendezvous location during a CIED response, you should answer three essential questions: where is it, what is it, and what has happened.

Arriving at an RV location during a real-world response isn’t a routine checkpoint. It’s a critical moment when sharp thinking and clear questions can keep people safe. The trio of questions you’ll want to stabilize around right away is straightforward, but powerful: Where is it? What is it? What has happened? These aren’t fancy drill questions. They create the situational awareness that guides every next move.

Let me explain why each question matters, and how they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Where is it? — Getting your bearings fast

Think of this as the first “educated guess” about geography, not a guess in a vacuum. Knowing where it is gives you context about risk and access. Is the location urban, suburban, or rural? Is there heavy traffic nearby, schools, or hospitals? Are utilities involved, or is it a remote site with limited escape routes?

This isn’t about memorizing coordinates; it’s about a quick mental map. If you can point to or describe the area in a sentence or two, you’ve already moved your planning forward. The right answer sets the stage for what you can safely do next. It tells responders where to establish a secure perimeter, where to direct traffic, and which routes to avoid. In short, location anchors your entire incident plan.

What is it? — Clarity about the object or situation

Once you know where you are, the next natural question is: what is this thing we’re dealing with? Is it an improvised device, a suspicious package, or something else altogether, like a chemical odor or a visible device component?

This question isn’t about snapping to conclusions. It’s about gathering observable facts: size, shape, proximity to people, packaging materials, any paraphernalia nearby, markings, or signs of tampering. You’ll balance curiosity with caution because the moment you misidentify something, you could misjudge risks and actions. If you can’t determine what it is from a safe distance, that’s a win for the cautious path—call for backup, widen the safety zone, and slow the situation down. The “What is it?” question helps shape how responders communicate, what protective gear is needed, and what tools should come into play.

What has happened? — Tracing the lead-up to the moment

This is where we connect the dots. What events led to this moment? Was the item discovered by a passerby, reported by a security camera, or found during a routine check? Were there any threats or warnings given previously? Has the person who found it done something that changes risk (like touching the item, moving it, or attempting to open it)?

Understanding the prior events gives you a trajectory. It tells you whether the threat posture is escalating, stabilizing, or uncertain. It also guides your decision-making about communications, witness management, and how you sequence actions. If you don’t know what happened, you’re operating with gaps. And in the world of CIED response, gaps invite risk. So, the third question acts as a bridge—linking the present moment to the history that helps predict what could come next.

How the triad works in practice

Picture a typical RV arrival scenario, and see how the three questions flow together. You pull up to a curb, a package sits near a loading dock, and a quiet alarm goes off in your head. You pause, take a breath, and start with location:

• Where is it? You scan the surroundings. Is the area crowded or isolated? Are there any paths people might use to retreat? You note landmarks, nearby streets, building faces, and entry points. You might say, “The item is at the south end near Gate 3, adjacent to the loading dock, next to a blue dumpster.” That clarity matters because it shapes your approach to cordon lines and the safest routes for responders.

• What is it? You observe without touching. You notice a wrapped package, unusual wiring, or a device-like container. You compare what you see with standard indicators—an item that seems out of place for the setting, visible wiring, a detonation cord pattern, or a suspicious device component. If you can’t classify it confidently, you treat it as a potential threat and prepare to treat it with caution, coordinate with specialists, and keep the public away.

• What has happened? You gather what the finder or nearby witnesses can share: when the item was discovered, what was seen before, any sounds, smells, or movements, and whether anyone interacted with it. These details help you judge risk and pace. Was there a delay in reporting? Did someone attempt to move the object? The answers shape the immediate next steps—how wide the safety zone should be, what kind of resources you bring, and how you communicate with bystanders.

A practical, human approach to a tense moment

In real life, people feel the tension—heat in the air, a tremor of adrenaline, the whistle of a distant siren. It’s natural, and it’s exactly why a simple triad can make a big difference. You don’t want to flood the moment with jargon or overcomplicate the plan. You want to stay calm, speak clearly, and rely on basic truths.

To help illustrate, here’s a scenario you might recognize from the field:

• You arrive at the RV site. A package sits near a loading dock, wrapped in brown paper with a tape seal that looks fresh but odd in this setting.

• Where is it? It’s along the edge of the drive lane, about five meters from a pedestrian sidewalk. There’s a clear escape route on the other side of the road, and a covered path that could shield people from sight.

• What is it? From a safe distance, you observe that the package is irregularly shaped and appears to be taped multiple times. You don’t try to lift or inspect it. You note the lack of identification on the exterior and the absence of a typical parcel label.

• What has happened? A bystander reported it five minutes ago after noticing the odd placement and a faint metallic clink when a car door shut nearby. No one has touched the item yet, and no one has spoken to the person who found it.

With those notes, you communicate to your team and the command post in plain language: “Suspect device at the south dock, non-specific object, discovered five minutes ago, no attempted manipulation.” Then you set up a safe perimeter, call in specialists, and keep bystanders back with clear, calm directions. The triad doesn’t just help you decide what to do; it helps you explain what you’re doing to others, which reduces confusion and keeps everyone aligned.

Why this triad is a cornerstone of CIED readiness

Here’s the thing about safety work: it’s not just about one moment of action. It’s about staying ahead of risk through clear, repeatable checks. The “Where is it? What is it? What has happened?” framework does several things at once:

• It creates a shared mental model. Everyone on the team has a common set of reference points, so commands and responses don’t get tangled in translation.

• It speeds up decision-making under pressure. When time matters, concise questions pull attention to the core facts that drive actions like securing a zone, summoning specialists, and communicating with the public.

• It reduces the chance of misclassification. If you rush to label something, you might miss subtle signs. Treating the situation as potentially dangerous until proven otherwise keeps you safer.

• It supports after-action learning. When you review an incident, these three questions help you map what you knew, what you didn’t, and what would help you respond even faster next time.

Tying the triad to broader principles

The questions are simple, but they sit inside a bigger toolbox. Good responders also consider:

• Communication discipline: speak in clear, non-alarmist terms; use neutral language to describe what you see and plan.

• Situational awareness: keep your eyes moving—observe, reassess, adjust. The scene can change quickly, and so should your plan.

• Risk assessment: weigh proximity to people, exposure routes, and potential secondary hazards (fire, chemicals, vibrations).

• Resource coordination: know what teams you need—local law enforcement, bomb technicians, medical support—and how you’ll coordinate them.

• Public safety first: the crowd becomes a factor. Direct observers away from the area, provide simple instructions, and preserve evidence through non-action unless you’re trained to handle it.

A few quick tips you can carry into the moment

• Start with a calm, steady breath. It helps you think clearly when the environment gets loud or confusing.

• Use simple phrases when you communicate. Short sentences beat long explanations under pressure.

• If you’re unsure, assume risk. That means keeping people away and escalating to specialists.

• Watch for subtle cues: shadows that don’t belong, unusual sounds, or movements around the object. These can matter.

A gentle nudge toward broader teamwork

This isn’t a solo exercise. The triad works best when the whole team is practiced with the same language and expectations. Regular drills, even light ones, help everyone internalize how to respond. It’s not about memorizing a script; it’s about building confidence in shared judgment. If you’ve ever relied on a map and a compass to navigate a foggy trail, you know how powerful it can be to have reliable reference points. The same idea applies here.

A closing thought

On arrival at an RV location, the first moments set the tempo for safety and control. The three questions—Where is it? What is it? What has happened?—are more than checkboxes. They’re a compact way to ground decision-making and protect both responders and the public. They help you read the scene quickly, communicate clearly, and choose a cautious path forward when the stakes feel high.

If you’re curious to dive deeper, consider how these questions map onto other parts of incident response—how information flows from the initial discovery to the moment when specialists take control, and how documentation captures those key facts for learning and improvement. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. It just works—one clear question at a time, guiding you toward safer, smarter action.