Which item is commonly used as a basis for making assignments when organizing teams for a large building search?

When organizing teams for a large building search, stairway locations serve as a crucial basis for making assignments. This is primarily because stairways are essential pathways for accessing different floors of a building and for both entry and exit during a search and rescue operation. By assigning teams to specific stairways, the incident commander can ensure that teams have clear routes for movement and egress, which is vital for both operational efficiency and the safety of all personnel involved.

Having a clear understanding of stairway locations also allows for better situational awareness and enhances communication within teams. It helps teams plan their movements to avoid congested areas or potentially hazardous conditions. Each team can systematically search designated floors, knowing they have a reliable means of getting in and out.

In this context, other factors such as known areas of safe refuge, alarm panel indicators, and wind direction play supportive roles in the overall strategy for a large-scale search but do not provide the same direct framework for team assignments as stairway locations do. For effective organization and execution of a building search, stairway access remains paramount.