In which situation would an Incident Command (IC) choose a defensive operational strategy?

An Incident Command might choose a defensive operational strategy in a situation where the survival of any victims trapped inside a burning structure is unlikely. This tactical decision is grounded in the principle of risk management, where the safety of firefighters is a top priority. If there is a clear assessment that victims cannot be saved, focusing efforts on protecting surrounding structures and preventing the fire from spreading becomes the primary goal. This strategy emphasizes protecting lives that are not at risk and conserving resources, rather than risking firefighter safety in a potentially futile rescue effort.

In contrast, the other scenarios would typically lead to an offensive operational strategy. For instance, if there is a high probability that trapped victims can be saved, the IC would seek to deploy resources and personnel to implement a rescue operation. Similarly, if the risk to firefighters is low relative to the potential gain in saving property, that could justify offensive actions. Lastly, having sufficient resources available usually supports an aggressive response to mitigate the incident, rather than a defensive approach focusing on containment and protection.