Defensive firefighting operations are typically conducted from which location?

Defensive firefighting operations are typically conducted from an exterior position to effectively protect structures and control the spread of fire. This strategy focuses on creating a barrier to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings or areas. The exterior approach allows firefighters to assess the situation more safely without being directly in the environment of the fire, which reduces risk and enhances the use of equipment like aerial apparatus or ground monitors to deliver water or fire-retardant chemicals from a distance.

When conducting defensive operations, the emphasis is on preserving lives and property by implementing tactics such as controlling the fire from outside the burning structure and managing exposure protection for surrounding areas, particularly when the conditions inside may be too hazardous. This method is vital in situations where the fire threatens multiple structures or when the fire's intensity is too high for interior operations to be safe or effective.