Which step in the IED response process is primarily focused on preventing additional devices from affecting personnel?

The step in the IED response process that is primarily focused on preventing additional devices from affecting personnel is the Cordon phase. During this phase, responders establish a secure perimeter around the area where the initial device was found. The purpose of creating this cordon is to keep individuals at a safe distance, thereby minimizing the risk of exposure to any secondary devices or hidden threats that may still be present.

Establishing a cordon also helps facilitate a controlled environment where trained personnel can assess the situation more thoroughly. This safety measure is crucial to ensure that people are not put in harm's way while further assessments and actions are conducted to neutralize the threat effectively. The proper management of the area can provide enough time for specialist teams, such as bomb disposal units, to arrive and ensure that all potential hazards are addressed without endangering anyone's safety.

In contrast, the other steps serve different purposes; confirming an IED identifies its presence, controlling the scene manages the ongoing situation and people within that perimeter, and checking covers the procedures for evaluating potential threats but does not specifically focus on perimeter safety.