What is the function of a portable monitor in firefighting?

The function of a portable monitor in firefighting primarily revolves around its ability to position a master stream device wherever needed. Portable monitors provide the flexibility to direct water streams effectively at significant distances and elevations, enhancing the capability to combat fires from various angles and distances. This is crucial in situations where fixed installations like fire hydrants or fire apparatus may not be easily accessible or when terrain conditions do not allow for standard firefighting techniques.

Portable monitors are designed to be lightweight and easily transportable, allowing firefighters to quickly set them up in desired locations. They can be operated from a safe distance, which is important for minimizing exposure to heat and hazardous conditions while still delivering an effective firefighting response.

The other options do not describe the primary function of a portable monitor: elevating water streams relates more to fixed systems or specific apparatus; monitoring temperature is typically done with thermal imaging devices or heat sensors, not by portable monitors; and transporting firefighters across hazardous areas generally pertains to specialized rescue equipment like rescue devices or personnel carriers. Therefore, option C accurately captures the essential role of a portable monitor in the firefighting response framework.