What action is prioritized by the Ventilation Group in a high-rise incident?

The prioritized action by the Ventilation Group in a high-rise incident is the pressurization of the fire attack stairwell(s). This is crucial because it creates a safe and smoke-free environment for firefighters as they make their way to the fire floor. Proper pressurization helps prevent smoke from infiltrating the stairwell, ensuring that personnel can ascend safely and efficiently to combat the fire.

This action is particularly important due to the unique challenges posed by high-rise structures, where smoke can quickly travel through the building, complicating both firefighting efforts and evacuation processes. By maintaining a controlled environment within the fire attack stairwell, the Ventilation Group supports not just the attack on the fire but also aids in the overall safety and operational effectiveness during the incident.

In contrast, while actions such as pressurizing evacuation stairwells or ventilating fire floors are certainly significant considerations in a high-rise fire, they do not take precedence over ensuring that firefighters have a reliable route to the fire. Likewise, maintaining accountability of resources is essential for overall incident management but is generally a different priority compared to addressing immediate fire suppression and firefighter safety needs.