Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which action should be taken immediately following a disaster in the facility?

1. Providing first aid to injured individuals

2. Assessing property damage

3. Calling the appropriate first responders

4. Evacuating only senior staff members

The correct answer is: Calling the appropriate first responders

Following a disaster in a facility, the priority is ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. Calling the appropriate first responders is crucial as it allows for professional assistance to be mobilized promptly, which can help address any immediate dangers, injuries, or other emergencies that have arisen as a result of the disaster. This step ensures that those who are trained to handle such situations—such as fire departments, medical teams, or other emergency services—are alerted and can begin their interventions. While providing first aid is important, it typically follows the activation of emergency services to ensure that comprehensive medical support can arrive on the scene. Assessing property damage is also vital, but it should occur after first responders are contacted to ensure that human life is prioritized. Evacuating only senior staff does not account for the well-being of all individuals present, making it a less appropriate response in a disaster scenario. The collective safety of staff, animals, and the facility itself must be addressed holistically, and engaging first responders is a fundamental first step in managing the incident effectively.