In an apparatus incident, which tactic should receive priority before other tasks?

• A. Water supply
• B. Exposure protection
• C. Rescue
• D. Ventilation

Answer: (C)

Life safety guides every move on the scene, so the tactic that should come first is rescuing occupants or anyone in immediate danger. When there are people inside or at risk, crews prioritize locating them, gaining access, and removing them from harm as quickly as possible. This focus may mean coordinating to reach victims with a rapid, safe entry and using the right search methods, while ensuring responders are protected. Only after it’s clear that people have been rescued or are no longer at risk do the other essential tasks—like securing a water supply, protecting exposures, or ventilating—take priority. The overall idea is that saving lives comes before other tactics, and the plan then shifts to control and scene management once occupants are safe.