If a firefighting strategy's objective is extinguishment, which strategy is being employed?

In firefighting, when the objective is extinguishment, the strategy employed is offensive. This approach focuses on actively combating the fire to bring it under control and ultimately extinguish it. Firefighters using an offensive strategy aim to directly attack the fire, often by making entry into the structure or the area where the fire is located, applying water or other extinguishing agents directly to the flames, and working towards rapid control.

This strategy is essential in situations where saving lives and property is the priority, as it seeks to reduce the spread of the fire and minimize damage. The offensive approach typically requires proper risk assessment, situational awareness, and effective coordination among firefighters.

While there are other strategies such as defensive, prevention, and containment, they serve different purposes. A defensive strategy focuses on protecting exposures and preventing the fire from spreading, rather than directly extinguishing it. Prevention relates to measures taken before a fire occurs to reduce risk, and containment involves restricting the fire’s spread while not necessarily intending to extinguish it immediately.