Many times offensive/defensive conditions are clear cut and command can quickly develop a decision that relates to that mode. In
other cases, the situation is marginal and command must initiate as offensive interior attack, while setting up defensive positions on
the exterior. The affect of the interior attack must be evaluated and the attack abandoned, if necessary. Mode changes can develop
almost instantly or can take virtually all night. You may have to change your mode to a combination, offensive/defensive attack. This
strategy embodies a vigorous attack against the main body of the fire, while taking adequate measures to control actual and potential
extension of fire. Your major portion of the fire force operates directly on fire extinguishment problems and a lesser force on fire
extension problems. Command must be aware and responsive to such mode changes.

Command must consider the most dangerous direction and avenues of fire extension particularly as it affects rescue activities,
confinement efforts, and exposure protection. He must then allocate resource based upon this fire spread evaluation.

In some cases, the most effective tactical analysis involves an evaluation of what is not burning rather than what is actually on fire.
The unburned portion represents where the fire is going and should establish the framework force fire control requirements.

Offensive fires should be fought from the interior-unburned side (interior capability is the principal offensive strategy factor).

Initial attack efforts must be directed toward supporting primary search - first attack must go between the victims and the fire and
protect avenues of escape.

Determine fire location and extent before starting fire operations. Do not operate fire streams into smoke .

Command can not lose sight of the simple and basic fireground reality that at some point the fire forces must engage the fire and
fight. Command must structure whatever operations are required to put water on the fire. The rescue/fire control/extension/exposure
problem is solved in the majority of cases by a fast, strong, well-placed attack.

Effective fire control requires that water is applied directly on the fire or directly into the fire area. A direct attack is made on the seat
of the fire on the immediate area involved in the fire. (Fire streams can be bounced off roofs and operated into smoke all night and the
fire will progress until it runs out of fuel). Command must establish an attack plan that overpowers the fire with actual water
application.

The offensive strategy is the strategy most commonly employed since, upon arrival, most fires are of rather small extent or can be
attacked directly before the fire spreads. Its greatest virtue is that all problems are solved at one time, life safety, confinement, and
extinguishment.

Where fires involve concealed spaces (attics, ceiling areas, construction voids, etc.) it becomes very important that ladders be
placed and roofs/ceilings be opened up and assigned companies operate fire streams into such areas. Early identification and
response to concealed space fires can save the structure. Officers who hesitate to open up because they do not want to beat up the
building many times must attempt an hour later to hold the fire to the neighborhood of origin.

Command must consider six sides (or operational areas) of the fire: front, back, two sides, top and interior.

Where the fire is sizeable, establish a safe and remote position to begin operations from - then move in on the fire.

The basic variables relating to attack operations involve:

     Location/position of attack
     Size of attack
     Support functions

Command develops an effective attack through the management of these factors.

Time becomes an extremely important factor with regard to attack operations. The bigger the attack, the longer it takes to get it
going; the more interior the attack is positioned, the longer it takes.

Command must balance and integrate attack size and position with fire conditions and his resources.

Tactical realities many times require that pure placement principles are violated. Such violations generally relate to the factor of time
versus pure placement. When such principles are violated, command must implement back-up action to cover the "uncovered"
area(s). Lacking direction, when fire is showing, companies will many times lay hose and put water on the fire utilizing the fastest,
shortest, most direct route.

Attack from the burned side generally will drive the fire, smoke and heat back into the building and the interior fire control forces out
of the building.

The fastest place to put water on the fire is generally from the outside at the point where the fire is burning out of the building - the
very worst application point most of the time.

When fire is burning out of a building and not affecting exposures, let it burn out, and extend any interior attack from the unburned
side. It is usually venting in the proper direction. It requires discipline on the part of control forces to do so.

Command must develop a fire control plan of attack that first stops the forward progress of the fire and then brings the fire under
control. In large complex fires, command will not immediately have adequate resources to accomplish all of the attack needs he
faces - at that point, he must prioritize attack efforts, act as a resource allocator and determine the response he will eventually
require. Accurate forecasting of conditions by command becomes critical during this initial evaluation process.

Command must develop critical decisions that relate to cut-off points and must approach fire spread determinations with pessimism.
It takes a certain amount of time to "get water" and the fire continues to burn while the attack gets set up. Command must consider
where the fire will be when attack efforts are ready to actually go into operation if he misjudges, the fire may burn past his
attack/cut-off position. Do not play "catch up" with a fire that is burning through a building: project your set-up time, write-off lost
property and get ahead of the fire. Set up adequately and over power it.

Do not put water into burned property, particularly when there is unburned property left to protect. Many fire streams are directed into
property that is already lost, many times at the expense of exposed unburned property. Write-off property that is already lost and go

On to protect exposed property based on the most dangerous directions of spread. Do not continue to operate in positions that are
essentially lost.

A defensive/offensive mode may be used as a "holding action" to keep the fire within reasonable bounds while awaiting the availability
of additional companies that are called or units at the fire that will shortly become available upon completion of the initial
assignments. At such time an offensive attack can be initiated.