How are all fire suppression operations categorized?

Fire suppression operations are categorized as either offensive or defensive based on the strategy and approach taken to combat the fire. Offensive operations aim to directly attack and extinguish the fire, often involving interior attacks where firefighters enter the building to reach the seat of the fire. This approach is typically used when it is safe to do so and when there is a reasonable chance of saving lives and property.

Conversely, defensive operations are employed when conditions make it unsafe to enter the structure, or when the fire has grown too large to effectively suppress from within. In these cases, firefighters focus on protecting exposures and containing the fire from a safe distance, often employing exterior streams and establishing fire control lines.

This categorization is critical because it helps firefighters determine the safest and most effective tactics to employ based on the situation they are facing. Understanding whether to take an offensive or defensive approach influences not only the immediate actions taken but also the overall incident strategy and coordination among firefighting personnel.