What is the essential criterion for a tactical action in firefighting?

The essential criterion for a tactical action in firefighting is that it must stop fire advance or prevent property damage. This focuses on the primary goal of firefighting, which is to protect lives, property, and the environment by effectively controlling and extinguishing fires. Tactical actions are evaluated based on their effectiveness in achieving these outcomes, as firefighters are often faced with the immediate challenge of halting a fire's progress and minimizing destruction.

While other factors, such as resource management and structural integrity, are important considerations in firefighting tactics, they are secondary to the immediate need to address the fire's advance and protect at-risk areas. Therefore, the primary purpose of any tactical action undertaken by firefighters in the field revolves around its direct impact on fire containment and damage prevention.