In the context of emergency management, what is the primary goal when dealing with a hazardous materials incident?

When dealing with a hazardous materials incident, the primary goal is to ensure public safety and health. This involves assessing the risks posed by the hazardous materials, protecting the affected population, and coordinating the emergency response to contain and mitigate the impact of the incident on both human health and the environment. The focus is on preventing harm to individuals and communities, providing necessary medical care, and ensuring the safety of responders and the general public.

The other options, while they may be relevant in specific contexts, do not represent the foremost priority in emergency management concerning hazardous materials. Restoring normalcy is a longer-term objective that comes after immediate threats to safety have been addressed. Minimizing media exposure is more about managing communications and public perception, rather than being a direct aim of emergency response. Investigating the incident is important for understanding the cause and preventing future occurrences, but it takes a secondary role to ensuring immediate safety. Thus, the emphasis on public safety and health is paramount in such emergencies.