Final answer:
As a first-arriving responder at a suspected terrorist incident, you should act as the incident commander until more personnel arrive, utilizing your training in decision making and emergency management.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the first-arriving emergency responder at the scene of a suspected terrorist or weapon of mass destruction incident, you should indeed request additional resources as needed. Following this, you should function as the incident commander until additional personnel arrive. This role is critical as it involves establishing control, ensuring public safety, setting up a perimeter, and making strategic decisions until the situation can be properly managed by more responders. It's important to consider all aspects of the situation, including the potential presence of secondary explosive devices, but the primary concern for the first responder is to establish control and begin organizing the emergency response.
Emergency responders, such as paramedics, are trained to handle a variety of situations, from fires to medical emergencies and even suspected terrorist attacks. Their training in decision making, teamwork, communication, and stress management is essential, especially in high-pressure and dangerous environments where they may serve as the incident commander before more help arrives. Paramedics are often the first to provide critical care and save lives in perilous situations, which reflects the importance of their role at such scenes.