What is the first step in preparing to write a report?

• A. Reviewing notes and obtaining all relevant information accurately.
• B. Drafting conclusions before facts.
• C. Selecting a witness to interview.
• D. Filing the initial incident report.

Answer: (A)

Collecting and verifying information before writing is the essential starting point. By reviewing notes and obtaining all relevant information accurately, you establish a factual foundation—knowing what happened, who was involved, when and where it occurred, and what evidence exists. This allows you to build a clear, chronological account and to spot any gaps that need resolution. Drafting conclusions before facts would bias the narrative and undermine objectivity, since you’d be interpreting events without solid support. Choosing a witness to interview is part of gathering information, but it follows from knowing what needs confirmation rather than being the initial step. Filing the initial incident report is an administrative action that occurs earlier in incident handling, not the preparation phase for writing the report. So the starting point is to review notes and obtain all relevant information accurately because it anchors the report in verified facts and sources.