Who usually determines the point of entry for forcible entry?

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On the fireground, the person directing the crew’s actions and making tactical access decisions is the company officer. They perform a quick on-scene assessment, gather information about the building and the interior conditions, and decide which entry point will allow the fastest, safest access for suppression and rescue. This role is responsible for coordinating the crew’s forcible entry efforts, choosing a doorway or window that minimizes risk to firefighters while maximizing chances of quick access to the fire and any occupants. The incident commander oversees overall strategy and resource deployment, but the specific choice of where to enter is typically made by the company officer who leads the entry team. Dispatchers aren’t on the scene, and while a firefighter in charge can supervise a unit, the authority and responsibility for the entry decision rest with the company officer.