You are an engine company responding to a well-involved building fire in an area of town known for abandoned buildings. What should you do?

In a scenario where you are an engine company responding to a well-involved building fire, particularly in an area known for abandoned buildings, initiating defensive operations is a prudent choice. This approach emphasizes the need to prioritize the safety of firefighters and bystanders while effectively managing the situation.

When a building is well-involved, the structure may be unstable, posing risks to anyone inside and to responders. Given the context of abandoned buildings, the likelihood of unknown hazards, including possible structural collapses or hazardous materials, increases significantly. Defensive operations focus on controlling and containing the fire from a safe distance, using water streams or other extinguishing methods without entering the potentially hazardous structure. This method protects both the crew and reduces the risk of fire spread to adjacent buildings or areas while waiting for further assessment or support.

While search and rescue operations are vital in many fire situations, conducting them in a well-involved, potentially compromised structure without first ensuring safety may endanger lives. Establishing an evacuation zone could be important, but in this case, it is implicit within defensive operations, where protecting surrounding areas is part of the containment strategy. Requesting additional resources can be useful but should follow a calculated plan rather than being the first step, as the immediate priority is to assess and