As the lead of an interior fire crew, what is the first step after noticing a sudden change in fire conditions?

Notifying the incident commander of changes observed in fire conditions is crucial as they are responsible for overall incident management and strategic decision-making. Rapid communication allows the incident commander to assess the situation accurately, make informed decisions, and implement necessary actions to ensure the safety of all personnel.

While it is important to consider the safety of your crew and report to the safety officer, the primary focus should be on maintaining an accurate situational awareness at the command level. This facilitates coordination among all teams and can prompt a more immediate response to any escalating hazards, thus prioritizing the overall safety of the operation. Additionally, personnel accountability and updates to the safety officer are essential steps, but they follow after the incident commander is informed to ensure the frontline operations align with the evolving situation at the command level.