Cooperative Personnel Services Firefighter (CPS) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Firefighter Exam Questions and Study Guide

The primary goal during a rescue operation in firefighting is to save lives and minimize injuries. This focus on life preservation is central to the mission of firefighters, as they respond to emergencies where individuals may be trapped, in danger, or in need of immediate medical assistance.

During any incident involving fire or hazardous situations, the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of victims. This often involves swift and decisive actions to locate and extract individuals from perilous conditions, providing critical care when necessary, and ensuring that victims are moved to a safe environment as quickly as possible.

Efforts to save lives take precedence over other considerations, such as collecting data for future training or securing the area for investigations, which can be addressed after all individuals in danger have been cared for. The protection of the environment is also an important concern, but it is secondary to the immediate need to assist those in life-threatening situations. This emphasis on saving lives shapes the training and operational strategies firefighters employ during rescue missions.