Upon release from rehabilitation, a firefighter's next assignment should be:

• A. Be released from the scene
• B. Return to their previous assignment
• C. Be reassigned to active duty
• D. Be medically evaluated

Answer: (C)

Rehabilitation aims to stabilize the firefighter’s condition, rehydrate, cool, and assess exertion so they can safely return to work. When a member is released from rehabilitation, it signifies they’ve met the medical and physical criteria to continue operating. The appropriate next step is to rejoin active duty, returning to the incident or task force to keep the crewing and operations intact. This supports ongoing incident response and safety, because someone who has been cleared for duty can contribute immediately rather than leaving the scene or awaiting further evaluation. Medical evaluation during rehab is part of the process already, so after clearance there’s no need for another separate evaluation before returning to duty.