Who determines the location for performing forcible entry at an incident?

The Incident Commander is responsible for determining the location for performing forcible entry at an incident due to their role in overseeing the overall incident management and strategic decision-making. This position requires assessing the situation quickly, considering factors like fire conditions, victim location, and the structure's integrity. The Incident Commander will coordinate with crews on the scene, utilizing their knowledge of the incident dynamics and the objectives of the firefighting operation.

They evaluate the safest and most effective points of entry based on the current conditions. This decision is crucial for ensuring that fire suppression, rescue operations, or other interventions can be conducted with maximum efficiency and safety for both personnel and victims involved. While other individuals, such as the Chief of Operations or Safety Officer, may have input and responsibilities related to specific areas of the incident, ultimately, it is the Incident Commander who holds the responsibility for directing actions on the ground, including forcible entry operations.