What information should be gathered before conducting an incident review of a structure fire?

Gathering building information that responders did not know prior to the fire is crucial for conducting an effective incident review. This type of information provides insights into the structure's design, construction materials, occupancy, and other specific hazards that may have been present. Understanding these factors allows fire officers to evaluate the incident response, assess risks more accurately, and identify any training or procedural adjustments that may be necessary for future incidents.

While knowing the time of day the fire occurred, weather conditions during the incident, and the number of bystanders present is useful for context and understanding the overall situation, this information primarily supports situational awareness and does not directly impact the investigation into building-specific factors. In contrast, the lack of prior knowledge about a building can significantly affect the outcomes of firefighting efforts and the safety of responders.