In any emergency, officials give the public protective action instructions. The public will need continuing information and instructions while taking these actions. Public protective actions include the following.

Isolation of the Hazard and Denial of Entry

Everyone not directly involved in emergency response operations should be kept away from the affected area, and unprotected emergency personnel should not be allowed within the isolation area. The public should be kept as far from the hazard site as possible.

Evacuation

Evacuation is the movement of everyone from a threatened area to a safer place. To perform an evacuation, enough time must be available to warn people, to allow time for them to get ready to go, and to leave the area. Evacuation is likely to be the best protective action if enough time is available. Personnel should begin evacuating people who are nearby and those who are outdoors in direct view of the scene. Evacuees should be sent upwind by a specific route to a definite place far enough away from the contaminated area that they do not have to be moved again if the wind shifts.

Shelter in Place

Sheltering in place is used when an evacuation cannot be performed or when evacuating the public would put them at greater risk than directing them to stay. When using in place protection, people are directed to go quickly inside a building and remain there until the danger has passed. The people inside the building should be told to close all doors and windows and to shut off all ventilating, heating, and cooling systems.