What is the goal of firefighting teams when working to control a fire in high-rises?

The primary goal of firefighting teams when responding to fire incidents in high-rise buildings is to confine and extinguish the fire. This approach minimizes the spread of the fire to adjacent areas and helps prevent catastrophic damage, ensuring the safety of any occupants still inside or those who may evacuate later. Confine means to isolate the fire within a specific area, which is crucial in high-rises where multiple floors and units are often involved, and fire can spread rapidly if not contained.

By focusing on extinguishing the fire effectively, firefighting teams can protect property and lives, manage smoke, and reduce the likelihood of a larger, uncontrolled blaze that could cause serious injuries or fatalities. Additionally, successful containment allows for safer operations as firefighters can navigate the situation more effectively without the hazard of a spreading fire complicating their efforts.

The other options, while relevant in the context of firefighting, do not represent the immediate operational objective. Evacuating residents is important, but it is typically a priority for life safety prior to or concurrent with fire control efforts. Ensuring structural integrity and establishing a collapse zone are also critical safety measures that are considered during the incident, but these serve to protect responders and the public rather than constitute the primary goal of firefighting operations in