These guidelines provide first responders to critical incidents with brief, easy-to-follow information that may be needed when arriving at the scene of a critical incident. Communities are encouraged to tailor these guidelines to fit the distinctive needs of their communities and public safety infrastructure. The booklet first provides general guidelines for first responders in dealing with all incidents. Responsibilities are delineated under the following task categories: assessing/sizing-up the situation; establishing immediate priorities; determining incident objectives/strategies; setting up an appropriate command post and staging area; conducting initial briefing of staff or responders; ensuring planning intelligence functions are accomplished; developing, approving, and implementing an incident action plan; determining information needs and establishing a flow of pertinent information for all command personnel; and approving requests for additional resources and requests for release of resources. The booklet then outlines steps to take when briefing personnel at the scene and when transferring command during a critical incident. Also explained are steps to take in managing victims/families at the scene and in dealing with media at the scene. The second major section of the booklet provides guidelines for stabilizing the following particular types of critical incidents: aircraft crash; barricaded suspect; building collapse; chemical/biological/radiological; civil disturbance; explosive device; missing person; and school incident.