Editing Firefighter (section)

==== Structural firefighting ====
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{{unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}
{{overly detailed|date=November 2023}}
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:''See also [[:Category:Fire suppression|Fire suppression]] for other techniques.''
While sometimes fires can be limited to small areas of a structure, wider collateral damage due to smoke, water and burning embers is common. Utility shutoff (such as gas and electricity) is typically an early priority for arriving fire crews. In addition, forcible entry may be required in order to gain access into the structure. Specific procedures(NFPA 704)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Jonathan |date=2021-11-05 |title=Hazardous Materials identification |url=https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2021/11/05/hazardous-materials-identification |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.nfpa.org}}</ref> and equipment are needed at a property where hazardous materials are being used or stored. Additionally, fighting fires in some structures may require additional training and firefighting tactics that are specific to that structure. For example, row house fires are a type of structure fire that require specific tactics to decrease risks.<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2023-101/default.html row house fires] </ref>

[[Structure fire]]s may be attacked with either "interior" or "exterior" resources, or both. Interior crews, using the "[[two in, two out]]" rule, may extend [[fire hose]] lines inside the building, find the fire and cool it with water. Exterior crews may direct water into windows and other openings, or against any nearby [[fuel]]s exposed to the initial fire. Hose streams directed into the interior through exterior wall apertures may conflict and jeopardize interior fire attack crews.

Buildings that are made of flammable materials such as wood are different from building materials such as concrete. Generally, a "fire-resistant" building is designed to limit fire to a small area or floor. Other floors can be safe by preventing smoke inhalation and damage. All buildings suspected or on fire must be evacuated, regardless of fire rating.

When fire departments respond to structure fires, the priorities are life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation. Some tactics used to achieve positive results at a structure fire include scene size-up, door control, coordinated ventilation, and exterior attack prior to entry.

When the first fire department arrives on-scene at a structure fire, scene size-up must occur to develop the appropriate strategy (offensive or defensive) and tactics. With scene size-up, a risk assessment must also occur to determine the risks of making an interior fire attack. When an incident's critical factors and the risk management plan indicate an offensive strategy, the incident commander will define the tactical objectives for entering the structure. Offensive incident action plans (tactics) are based on the standard offensive tactical priorities and their corresponding completion benchmarks.

=====Firefighting priorities and tactics=====
[[File:Ministry of Information First World War Official Collection Q30979.jpg|thumb|A firefighter carrying a worker out of a munitions factory during World War&nbsp;I. Saving lives is a primary objective for firefighters.]]
The incident commander should consider these priorities and firefighting tactics at a structure fire:
* Life safety – primary and secondary "All Clear(s)" (A/C)
* Property conservation – "Loss Stopped" (L/S)
* Post fire control firefighter decontamination (Decon)
* Customer Stabilization – Short term{{efn|Customer stabilization refers to customer service that fire departments provide during an emergency. When a fire department responds to an emergency, two related priorities are life safety and stabilizing the incident. Part of this process is ensuring the customer's well-being from the time of dispatch until after the incident becomes stable.}}

Some firefighting tactics may appear to be destructive, but often serve specific needs. For example, during [[Ventilation (firefighting)|ventilation]], firefighters are forced to either open holes in the roof or floors of a structure (called vertical ventilation), or open windows and walls (called horizontal ventilation) to remove smoke and heated gases from the interior of the structure. Such ventilation methods are also used to improve interior visibility to locate victims more quickly. Ventilation helps to preserve the life of trapped or unconscious individuals as it releases the poisonous gases from inside the structure. Vertical ventilation is vital to firefighter safety in the event of a [[flashover]] or [[backdraft]] scenario. Releasing the flammable gases through the roof eliminates the possibility of a [[backdraft]], and the removal of heat can reduce the possibility of a [[flashover]]. Flashovers, due to their intense heat ({{convert|900|–|1200|°F|-1}}) and explosive temperaments, are commonly fatal to firefighter personnel. Precautionary methods, such as smashing a window, reveal backdraft situations before the firefighter enters the structure and is met with the circumstance head-on. Firefighter safety is the number one priority.

Whenever possible during a structure fire, property is moved into the middle of a room and covered with a salvage cover, a heavy cloth-like tarp. Various steps such as retrieving and protecting valuables found during suppression or overhaul, evacuating water, and boarding windows and roofs can divert or prevent post-fire runoff.