What best describes a pincer attack in firefighting?

• A. Direct attack around a fire in opposite directions by two or more attack units
• B. Indirect cooling using ventilation only
• C. Attack from the top of the structure
• D. Use only one attack unit

Answer: (A)

A pincer attack is a coordinated front that two or more attack teams drive from opposite sides to surround and attack the fire together. By approaching from two directions, crews create a fast, solid line that cuts off the fire’s advance and exhausts the heat and fuels from multiple angles. This approach helps to control the fire more quickly, protect exposures, and prevent the fire from sweeping around corners or through openings.

The other options don’t describe this simultaneous two-front method. Ventilation-only cooling focuses on removing heat without encircling the fire. Attacking from the top is a vertical approach, not a two-directional encirclement. Using only one attack unit lacks the coordination and front to effectively pin the fire from opposing sides.