When is an incident referred to as "Continuing operations?"

An incident is referred to as "Continuing operations" when units have been on the scene for over 8 hours. This terminology indicates that the incident is not resolved and that ongoing efforts and resources are required to manage the situation effectively.

The designation of an incident as "Continuing operations" is significant for operational planning and resource allocation. At this stage, the incident may require additional support, a change in strategy, or a reassessment of available resources. Recognizing that an incident has reached this level of duration helps fire service leadership and command structure to adapt their response accordingly, ensuring that all aspects of incident management are sustained efficiently.

Contextually, shorter timeframes like those suggested in the other options do not typically classify an incident as "Continuing operations." Instead, they may describe initial operations or routine activity on scene before escalation or reassessment is warranted after the 8-hour mark. This standard helps to streamline communication and expectations among responding units and command staff.