Which statement best distinguishes offensive and defensive fire attack strategies?

• A. Offensive means control from exterior to prevent spread.
• B. Offensive aims to search and extinguish from inside; Defensive aims to control from exterior to prevent spread.
• C. Offensive uses only water; Defensive uses foam.
• D. Offensive is always safer.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is where the attack is conducted and the goal of that attack. Offensive fire attack means going inside the structure to search for occupants and the fire, and then apply extinguishment from within to quickly control the main heat source. Defensive fire attack means working from the outside to contain the fire, protect exposures, and prevent it from spreading, especially when interior conditions are too dangerous or the fire is too advanced for a safe interior approach. The statement captures this distinction: interior search and extinguish for offensive, exterior control to prevent spread for defensive. The other options mix up where operations occur, or rely on irrelevant details like water versus foam, or claim safety is always better, which isn’t accurate in real fire conditions.