What should the EAPD prioritize after assessing an airborne hazard?

Prioritizing the shutting down of outside air intakes after assessing an airborne hazard is crucial for maintaining the safety and health of occupants in a building. By shutting down these intakes, the Emergency Action Plan Director aims to prevent hazardous airborne materials from being drawn into the indoor environment, thereby mitigating the exposure of building occupants to potentially harmful substances. This action is particularly important in scenarios where external contamination poses health risks, such as chemical spills, biological threats, or even smoke from nearby fires.

This choice focuses on immediate protective measures to secure the air quality within the building, which is vital for maintaining a safe environment for everyone inside. Other actions, such as alerting the fire department or evacuating the building, may come into play subsequently, but the immediate priority is to protect the indoor atmosphere from external air contaminants. Neglecting to take this precaution could lead to severe health implications for individuals inside the building, making it an essential first step after assessing the situation.