What is a standard method for managing the workload for firefighters working a high-rise fire?

• A. Assign several companies to do the work normally assigned to one company
• B. Enforce a 1:1 work time/rehabilitation time rule
• C. Hoist, rather than carry, tools and equipment
• D. Do not require PPE for personnel working in smoke-proof stairwells

Answer: (A)

Distributing the workload by adding more companies to handle what a single company would normally do is the standard way to manage fatigue and maintain safety in a high-rise incident. With tall buildings, the scope of work—search, rescue, suppression, ventilation, and eventual overhaul—stretches crews thin over time. Having additional companies share these tasks prevents any one crew from becoming overextended, allows for planned rotation, and makes it easier to schedule rehab breaks without compromising operations. This approach keeps performance steady, maintains situational awareness, and reduces the risk of heat stress, fatigue, and mistakes.

Using a strict one-to-one work-to-rest rule isn’t the established method for these complex scenes, since conditions drive when and how long crews can work before needing rehab, not a fixed ratio. Hoisting equipment can reduce physical strain for certain tasks, but it doesn’t address overall workload distribution across the incident. And requiring PPE is essential for safety; operating without PPE in hazardous areas is not acceptable.