Which term describes an ongoing evaluation of influential factors at the scene to inform incident priorities and resource needs?

• A. Tactical Progress Report
• B. Alarm Assignment
• C. Size up
• D. NFIRS

Answer: (C)

Size up is the ongoing, systematic assessment of conditions at the incident scene used to set priorities and determine needed resources. From arrival onward, and as conditions change, responders gather information about occupancy, fire location and behavior, hazards, potential for backdraft or flashover, structural stability, access and egress, water supply, exposures, and civilian risk. This evolving picture informs the strategic priorities—life safety first, incident stabilization, and property conservation—and directs tactics and resource requests (more crews, equipment, or specialized actions). Because size up continues throughout the incident, decisions and resource needs can be adjusted as new information comes in. The other terms refer to different concepts: a Tactical Progress Report is a status update on what’s happening with operations, Alarm Assignment is the dispatch of units, and NFIRS is the incident reporting system used after the event.