Who initiates air monitoring?

• A. Command Post (CP)
• B. Initial entry element leader
• C. Back-up entry element
• D. Emergency Personnel Decon Station

Answer: (A)

Air monitoring is a safety measure used to detect airborne hazards and guide entry decisions, PPE choices, and protective actions. The authority to start this monitoring rests with the Command Post (the incident command). They establish the monitoring plan, decide what to measure, where to place instruments, who will operate them, and what action levels will trigger changes in operations. By initiating monitoring, they create a coordinated, centralized risk assessment that all teams follow. Once the plan is set, the initial entry element leader carries it out on scene using the specified instruments and thresholds. The back-up entry element continues monitoring as needed, and the Emergency Personnel Decon Station monitors air around the decon area, all based on the plan established by the Command Post rather than initiating monitoring themselves.