In firefighting terminology, what does "fire attack" refer to?

In firefighting terminology, "fire attack" specifically refers to the method employed to extinguish a fire. This involves a variety of tactics and strategies that firefighters utilize to suppress or eliminate the flames effectively. It includes determining the appropriate type of extinguishing agent to use, positioning hoses, and applying water or other chemicals in a manner that optimally knocks down the fire while ensuring safety for personnel and property.

Assessing the fire size is a crucial initial step that informs the fire attack plan, but it is not the act of extinguishing itself. Evacuating personnel is essential for safety but does not constitute the operational aspect of combating the fire. Setting up equipment, while necessary for an effective fire response, is part of the preparation for conducting a fire attack, not the attack itself. Thus, the method of extinguishing the fire is the most accurate definition of "fire attack" in the context of firefighting.