What is the primary mission during a major gas emergency response?

During a major gas emergency response, the primary mission is to ensure that no major leak exists. This is crucial as identifying and confirming the presence or absence of a substantial gas leak can dictate the course of action for first responders and impact the safety of the surrounding area.

Preventing a potential explosion and ensuring the safety of both emergency personnel and civilians hinges on the initial assessment of the gas leak. Even if gas is detected, determining whether it poses a significant risk is essential before progressing to other steps such as evacuations or shutting down power.

While identifying the source of gas, evacuating the area, and shutting down power are important strategies in response operations, they become secondary to confirming whether a major leak is present. Once it's established that there is no significant leak, other safety measures can then be effectively implemented to mitigate any further risk.