Our occupation requires swift action when we are called to serve. We respond without hesitation, armed with limited information and the mindset that every second counts. Adrenaline-driven with a desire to help, our nature is to plunge headfirst into the alarm. There are moments, however, when we must make ourselves slow down to achieve a greater situational awareness and use our time more efficiently. These wisely used seconds can save minutes, and those minutes can save lives.
This ideology holds true in many facets of our response. A driver who visualizes the best route before pulling out of the firehouse can avoid feeling pressured to drive beyond limits to gain time that otherwise would be lost. A rig that approaches the fireground slowly is more likely to get the most advantageous positioning for company deployment and other responding pieces. Seconds taken to speak with occupants or view at least three sides of the structure (when possible) will result in better strategic decisions. And, a moment taken at the door to the fire area can greatly affect the outcome of interior operations.
Whether assigned to an engine or a truck, it is important to pause, look at, listen to, and feel the surroundings when you arrive at the entry point to the fire area. This is especially important when your apparatus is the first due. It is not something you want to spend a lot of time doing, but taking a few seconds often will provide additional information while simultaneously confirming your on-scene size-up.
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