During an emergency response, what is the purpose of establishing a perimeter?

Establishing a perimeter during an emergency response primarily serves the purpose of protecting personnel and the public. This involves controlling access to the incident site to ensure that only authorized personnel can enter. It minimizes the risk of injury to bystanders and non-essential personnel by keeping them away from potential hazards, such as fire, toxic substances, or structural collapses. By creating a safe zone, responders can work more efficiently, focusing on their tasks without the distraction or danger posed by unauthorized individuals in the vicinity.

While the other options could reflect additional considerations during an incident, the foremost and critical reason for setting up a perimeter is centered around safety. Securing the area from media, ensuring vehicle access, and maintaining incident command are important, but they are secondary to the primary objective of protecting lives during an emergency situation.