Who are typically found at the outer perimeter of an incident?

Typically, the outer perimeter of an incident is established to control access and maintain safety. This area is often populated by the public and media, who gather to observe the situation unfold. The outer perimeter serves to separate the general populace from the active scene, thereby ensuring that they remain at a safe distance while providing necessary privacy for the responders and maintaining the integrity of the operation. The presence of the media may also be significant, as they document events, report on ongoing situations, and, in some cases, may need to be managed to prevent interference with the incident response.

The other groups mentioned, such as the incident command staff, victims and witnesses, and criminal suspects, typically have more specific placements in relation to the incident. Incident command staff usually operate from a command post closer to the scene to coordinate operations, while victims and witnesses may be located within the inner perimeter of the incident where assistance or questioning occurs. Criminal suspects are often processed or isolated from the general public, making their presence at the outer perimeter less common. Therefore, focusing on the public and media as occupants of the outer perimeter aligns with standard incident management procedures.