Where is the rehabilitation center usually located at a high-rise fire?

The rehabilitation center is typically located two or three floors below the fire in a high-rise fire scenario because this location allows for easier access to firefighters who may be returning from active firefighting duties. Positioning the rehab area below the fire floor helps in several ways. It provides a safer environment away from the dangers of heat, smoke, and structural instability that exist closer to the fire. This location also facilitates a more manageable logistical operation, as firefighters can quickly return to the rehab area for rest and recovery.

Being a few floors below also ensures that firefighters aren’t hindered by the chaotic conditions on the fire floor or at ground level, where they might encounter evacuation procedures or hose lines. In addition, this location promotes easier communication with command and other teams working throughout the incident, helping to maintain overall operational effectiveness.

Other potential locations, such as the lobby or outside the fire building, may have their own advantages but do not offer the same balance of safety and accessibility necessary for effective rehabilitation during a high-rise firefighting operation.