During a structure fire, what should be the first priority according to safety protocols?

The first priority during a structure fire, according to safety protocols, is life safety. This principle is rooted in the fundamental mission of fire service professionals, which is to protect lives—both those of civilians who may be trapped in the dangerous environment of a fire and those of firefighters who enter the structure to conduct rescue operations. Ensuring that all individuals, including victims and rescuers, are safe is paramount and takes precedence over all other considerations.

Life safety protocols include assessing the scene for potential hazards, ensuring proper protective gear is in use, and executing search and rescue operations effectively. This focus on life safety is why firefighters are trained to prioritize human life over property and equipment concerns.

While incident stabilization is critical and involves managing the overall situation, as well as controlling the fire and preventing it from spreading, it is secondary to ensuring that any individuals who may be in imminent danger are accounted for and assisted first. Similarly, equipment preparation and property conservation are essential tasks within the broader response to a fire, but they do not take precedence over the immediate concern of protecting human life.