When is an offensive strategy utilized by firefighting teams?

An offensive strategy is employed by firefighting teams primarily when lives are threatened. This approach focuses on aggressive tactics aimed at directly combating the fire to protect lives, such as conducting search and rescue operations within the structure. When a rapid or effective suppression is needed to save people, particularly in situations where individuals may be trapped or in immediate danger, an offensive strategy is deemed essential.

In contrast, while factors such as having good visibility can support offensive actions, it's the immediacy of the threat to life that justifies this high-risk tactic. Strong visibility might improve conditions but doesn’t dictate the need for an offensive approach. Similarly, an exhausted crew would likely shift strategy to ensure their safety and effectiveness, thus ruling out offensive tactics since they can be demanding both physically and mentally. If the fire is already under control, an offensive strategy would also typically not be employed, as the focus would likely shift to salvage and overhaul efforts.