Which role leads the ventilation team?

• A. Roof Boss (Ventilation Team Lead)
• B. Safety Officer
• C. Interior Commander
• D. Communications Specialist

Answer: (A)

In vertical ventilation, the person who directs and coordinates the outside roof operations is the Roof Boss, the Ventilation Team Lead. This role is responsible for directing the crew on the roof, deciding where to cut or open the roof, and ensuring the ventilation path is established and maintained. They manage safety on the exterior, communicate with the interior team to time entry and exhaust flow, and ensure the fans or other ventilation devices are placed and used effectively. Because exterior roof actions determine how smoke and heat are moved and how safely interior operations can proceed, having the Roof Boss lead keeps all parts of the operation aligned and reduces conflicting commands.

The Safety Officer focuses on overall incident safety policies, the Interior Commander leads the teams inside the structure, and the Communications Specialist handles radio and data coordination. While each role is essential, they do not lead the ventilation effort from the roof.