During a scene assessment, what should an EMT primarily be concerned about?

During a scene assessment, the primary concern for an EMT should be scene safety. This involves ensuring that both the EMT and the patient are free from potential hazards that could cause injury or worsen the situation. A thorough assessment of the scene allows the EMT to identify any dangers, such as traffic, fire, unstable structures, or other environmental risks that could impact patient care or the EMT's well-being.

By prioritizing scene safety, an EMT can create a secure environment to provide care effectively, ensuring that no additional injuries occur while assessing and treating the patient. Once safety is established, the EMT can then focus on gathering patient history, utilizing equipment, and managing time effectively. Each of these factors is important, but they follow the imperative need to ensure a safe working environment.