When a decision to evacuate may place occupant safety and health in danger what protective action should be considered?

When evacuation poses a risk to occupant safety and health, sheltering in place is an essential protective action. This approach allows individuals to remain in a safe location rather than moving to an area that may expose them to greater danger, whether due to environmental hazards, security threats, or other emergencies.

By sheltering in place, occupants can utilize barriers, secure their environment, and access necessary supplies while waiting for the situation to stabilize or for further instructions from emergency management authorities. This strategy prioritizes the immediate safety of individuals by focusing on keeping them safe in their current location rather than risking exposure to potentially hazardous conditions during an evacuation.

The other options—lockdown, continuing operations plan, and continuity of government plan—serve different purposes and are not specifically designed as protective actions in the context of situations where evacuation could endanger safety and health. Lockdown typically focuses on securing oneself against threats, while the COOP and COG relate more to organizational and governmental operations during emergencies rather than individual safety measures.