When should salvage operations ideally begin?

Salvage operations are essential to minimizing damage to property and protecting assets affected by fire and water. These operations ideally begin concurrently with fire attack for several reasons. First, starting salvage efforts alongside fire suppression enables firefighters to proactively prevent further damage from water and smoke. As firefighters work to extinguish the fire, salvage teams can assess which areas can be protected or which items can be saved, which ultimately reduces the overall impact on the property.

In many scenarios, salvage operations can involve moving items out of the way of the fire or covering them to shield against water used in extinguishing the flames. This proactive approach fosters efficiency and helps ensure that the fire's overall impact is minimized right from the start, rather than waiting until after the fire is under control.

Waiting for the fire to be declared under control may lead to unnecessary damage, while beginning salvage operations after the cause/origin investigation or safety checks could delay crucial intervention that could prevent further loss. Therefore, integrating salvage operations with fire attack is a best practice in firefighting, according to NFPA standards.