What should be given first priority by controllers?

In air traffic control, the primary responsibility of controllers is to ensure the safety of aircraft in the airspace they manage. This encompasses a range of critical tasks, including separating aircraft to maintain safe distances and prevent collisions, issuing safety alerts to warn pilots of potential hazards, and providing support related to national security. This priority is grounded in the fundamental principle that safety is always the foremost concern in air traffic operations.

By prioritizing these responsibilities, controllers contribute to a safe and efficient airspace system, which is vital for both commercial and general aviation. This ensures timely interventions in emergency situations and the overall integrity of flight operations, thereby reinforcing the priority of safety over other functions like weather updates, navigation assistance, or responding to general inquiries, which, while important, do not take precedence over immediate safety concerns.