Even under "normal" incident conditions, the incident scene can rapidly become clogged with apparatus, command staff vehicles, and bystanders. Such congestion:

• Causes unnecessary exposure to hazards (including incidents where responders may be the primary or secondary target).
• Makes access difficult for resources that are needed for the response.
• Complicates resource accountability and tracking.

During major events, this "normal" congestion can become aggravated by self-dispatched and freelancing emergency responders. Self-dispatched resources and freelancing cause serious problems.

Personnel should NOT respond to the scene unless requested and dispatched.