Definition & Operational Usage of Under Fire
What Is Under Fire?
Under Fire (Care Under Fire in TCCC/TECC) refers to emergency response operations occurring while responders or casualties remain exposed to active kinetic threats, direct gunfire, or explosive hazards.
⚠️ Operational Safety Warning:Do not attempt airway procedures, IV lines, or detailed patient assessments while taking active gunfire. Extricate victim to hard cover first.
Why Under Fire Matters on the Fireground
Operating under fire requires strict tactical discipline. The best medicine on a high-threat scene is fire superiority and movement to cover. Treatment is restricted strictly to self-applied or buddy-applied tourniquets.
Relevant NFPA Standards
- NFPA 1010: Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters
- NFPA 1550: Standard for Emergency Responder Health and Safety
Field Procedures & Tactical Steps
- Return fire and suppress hostile threat if equipped and authorized.
- Direct casualty to remain engaged, seek cover, and apply self-tourniquet if conscious.
- Apply high-and-tight limb tourniquet over clothing if casualty cannot self-treat.
- Extricate casualty rapidly to hard cover (Rescue Task Force extraction).
- Transition to Tactical Field Care phase once behind ballistic cover.
Common Context & Application
Applied during active shooter responses, tactical EMS (TEMS) deployments, and sniper/hostile ambush incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Under Fire
What medical treatment is permitted during the Care Under Fire phase?
The ONLY medical intervention recommended during active Care Under Fire is rapid limb tourniquet application for massive arterial bleeding.
What is the difference between cover and concealment?
Cover protects against both visibility and ballistic projectiles (concrete walls, engine blocks). Concealment hides visibility only (bushes, drywall).
Other Names for Under Fire
active engagementimminent threatcritical state
Under Fire may also appear in training materials, NFPA standards, or department SOPs as: active engagement, imminent threat, critical state.
Relevant Tools
Operational calculators related to Under Fire:
Category:Fireground Operations
— Core tactics, command, suppression, ventilation, search, and water supply terminology used on the fireground.