Which item is NOT one of the three pillars for evaluating tactics?

• A. Safety
• B. Appropriate techniques for roof construction
• C. Appropriate size vent hole for fire/smoke conditions
• D. Finding location of structural members

Answer: (D)

In vertical ventilation, evaluating tactics boils down to three practical considerations that directly affect safety and effectiveness: keeping the crew safe, using appropriate techniques for roof construction, and selecting a vent hole size that matches the fire and smoke conditions. Safety covers protecting firefighters and maintaining control of the scene. Roof construction techniques ensure the cut or opening is made in a way that reduces risk of collapse and facilitates predictable airflow. The vent hole size must be right for the fire behavior and smoke conditions to achieve effective ventilation without creating dangerous pressure or backdraft risks.

Finding the location of structural members, while important for overall safety and for planning how to approach and cut, isn’t one of the criteria used to judge the tactical approach itself. It’s a critical situational awareness factor that informs how you execute, but the three pillars used to evaluate tactics remain safety, roof construction techniques, and vent hole sizing.