What should be prioritized during the verification of a suspected IED?

The safety of personnel is the utmost priority during the verification of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED). Ensuring that all individuals involved, including first responders, military personnel, and civilians, are safe is critical. In scenarios involving suspected explosives, immediate risks to life and limb are prevalent, and assessing the situation with an emphasis on safety allows for a calculated response to mitigate those risks.

Prioritizing personnel safety involves implementing proper protocols and procedures, assessing potential threats, and making informed decisions to protect everyone involved. This ensures that any actions taken to verify the IED are conducted in a controlled environment, reducing the likelihood of accidental detonation or injury.

Verification can only be effectively conducted when personnel are secured and safe from harm. Once safety is ensured, focus can shift to managing the scene for security, confirming the type of explosive, and even engaging public awareness campaigns if necessary, but these actions cannot take precedence over the immediate need to protect human life.