THE ROLE OF THE FIRST RESPONDER IN RISK MITIGATION DURING EXPLOSIVE-RELATED INCIDENTS: AN ANALYSIS IN THE AMAZONIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Public security, as established by the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988, is a duty of the State and a responsibility shared by all, with the Military Police being one of the main institutions responsible for the preservation of public order. In the state of Amazonas, due to its geographic and operational peculiarities, the initial response to police incidents is largely carried out by frontline patrol officers, who act as first responders. In situations involving explosive devices, this initial response becomes even more critical, given the high destructive potential of such devices and the time gap until the arrival of specialized units. In this context, this article aims to describe the role of the first responder in incidents involving explosive devices in the state of Amazonas, analyzing their duties, responsibilities, and operational procedures. Methodologically, this is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, developed through bibliographic and documentary research, based on specialized literature, current legislation, and the Standard Operating Procedures of the Military Police of Amazonas. The results indicate that the technical, cautious, and standardized actions of the first responder are decisive for the preservation of life, proper area isolation, risk mitigation, and the establishment of safe conditions for bomb disposal unit intervention. It is concluded that investment in continuous training, protocol standardization, and the strengthening of initial decision-making significantly contribute to improving police response and enhancing public security levels in the Amazonian context.