If you encounter a suspicious substance, you should?

You should not handle it yourself if you encounter a suspicious substance , as this might only add to the problem. In such situations, it is advised to leave the area immediately and contact local authorities like the police or fire department.

In the context of the Incident Command System, the advice to not handle a suspicious substance yourself is integral to the emergency response protocol. The ICS assigns specific roles, such as Hazardous Materials Response Teams and Public Information Officers, to manage these situations. These teams have the necessary training and equipment to handle hazardous materials safely, while Public Information Officers communicate critical safety information to the public.