What is the first step when electrical power is lost?

When electrical power is lost, the appropriate first step is to send an investigator to find the cause of the outage. Identifying the reason behind the power loss is crucial because it can determine the subsequent actions needed to address the issue safely and effectively. Understanding whether the outage resulted from a malfunction, a short circuit, or an external issue helps in prioritizing safety measures and in taking additional steps required to restore power.

In this context, the other options miss the initial priority of diagnosing the situation. Calling for maintenance assistance, while important, typically depends on understanding the problem first. Resetting the circuit breaker might not be safe or effective if there are underlying issues causing the power loss, and checking all devices for damage can be premature without first assessing the cause of the outage. Thus, investigating the cause sets the foundation for a structured and safe response to electrical power loss.