When gathering information at a collapse scene, which action is recommended to locate victims?

• A. Rely on rumors
• B. Await official press releases
• C. Interview witnesses
• D. Review social media

Answer: (C)

Interviewing witnesses provides the quickest, most reliable leads to locate victims because people who were in or near the area can share last-known positions, sounds, or movements that point search teams to likely spaces where someone might be trapped. This firsthand information can be obtained rapidly and checked against what teams observe on the scene, guiding the initial search pattern and helping avoid wasting time on false leads. To get the most from witness accounts, ask open-ended questions about where and when they last saw or heard something, what they observed, and who else was present, then corroborate those details with other on-scene data and relay them to incident command for rapid action.

Relying on rumors, waiting for official press releases, or scanning social media tends to be unreliable for real-time rescue operations. They can spread misinformation, be outdated, or lag behind what’s actually happening on the ground, which can misdirect efforts and delay locating victims.