Which factor is essential for security officers when responding to incidents?

Ensuring their own safety should be the top priority is essential for security officers when responding to incidents because it allows them to effectively perform their duties without becoming victims themselves. If security personnel do not prioritize their own safety, they may react impulsively in high-stress situations, which can lead to reckless behavior that endangers themselves, others, and the situation's overall management. By maintaining a focus on their own safety, officers can better assess the circumstances, follow established protocols, and coordinate with other responding personnel, ultimately facilitating a more efficient response to the incident. This approach ensures that they can provide assistance to others while minimizing risk to themselves, making it a foundational principle in security operations.