What is a Withdraw Order?

• A. An order to remove crews from the interior of a structure or a portion of it.
• B. A directive to continue interior operations.
• C. A directive to switch teams inside.
• D. A signal to wait for further instructions.

Answer: (A)

A Withdraw Order is a directive to remove crews from the interior of a structure or from a defined interior area because conditions have become dangerous or unpredictable. It prioritizes life safety, prompting crews to exit quickly, regroup, and allow the incident commander to reassess and adjust tactics. Once issued, interior operations pause for that area, and the scene may shift to a defensive posture or a new plan rather than continuing interior work. This isn’t about continuing interior actions, switching teams inside, or waiting for more instructions to proceed with the same plan—it's a clear call to pull people out to safety and re-evaluate.