By Gary Thigpen and Brian Ward
Decision making can be difficult, even in the best of situations. All firefighters must exercise their minds and bodies through training, education, and experience to develop their decision-making capabilities. You must have a precision level of execution in everything you do. When staffing is stretched or if any level of staffing is below that specified under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, 2016 edition, or NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments, 2014 edition, even the typical call can be difficult to handle. NFPA 1710 recommends four on-duty personnel per company; NFPA 1720 recommends as a minimum four personnel available to respond in a geographically remote area.
Now add in the unknowns such as dispatch attempting to relay information when the information being received is limited at best. The fire officer must be able to determine in a matter of seconds the answers to a multitude of questions based on a 15- to 30-second snapshot of information that is third and fourth hand. The officer’s ability to make the correct decision is directly related to his previous training, education, and experience. Are you confident in your training and ability to step up and make the call?
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