Evacuation is always preferred over sheltering in place.

• A. True
• B. It depends on the situation
• C. In some cases evacuation is never appropriate
• D. False

Answer: (D)

Protective actions during hazmat incidents depend on the situation, including the type of hazard, where it is, weather conditions, and how quickly people can be kept safe. Evacuation is not always the best choice. Sheltering in place can be safer when the hazardous release is outside your building and moving people could spread contamination or expose them to more danger, or when authorities determine that sealing the building and reducing exposure indoors is the most effective short-term protection. Evacuation might be the right action if the hazard is moving away from you and there are safe routes and destinations, but it isn’t universally better. Therefore, saying evacuation is always preferred isn’t correct.