cessful or even on their failure. In the same way it is possible that
the result of one response operation can result in another simulta-
neous operation being less successful. These are examples of less
obvious connections between various occurrences. We can say
then that a single time axis is not sufficient to describe, explain,
understand or generally handle several simultaneous processes,
tasks or developments.
Delays can also be denoted by the term inherent time. If one as a
commanding officer is aware of delays, they should not normal-
ly increase the problem load, as they present the opportunity to
compensate and adjust for when in time or where in space one or
more actions should be taken? Complications that can be difficult
to take into account can always occur during practical execution.
Consequently decisions should be taken and actions initiated and
executed in such a way that delay is treated as a natural part of
them. It is often desirable to make any possible delay as short as
possible. However, sometimes measures are taken in order to deli-
berately delay the development of an incident as much as possible.
Long delays can be desirable, at least at some stage of a response
operation, in order to provide time to investigate other aspects.
The important thing is that these occur as part of a conscious ap-
proach to decisions taken to initiate certain types of action at an
incident site. Through initiating certain types of action at an early
stage, delay can be used to create margins or working space in
terms of both time and space.
In the same way it is possible perhaps, in the event of several
simultaneous operations, to distribute resources in such a way as
to delay the course of events at a particular incident site. An active
approach to the distribution of resources between incident sites
can then lead to a successful conclusion of the collective opera-
tion, even if the developments at some stage may be undesirable.Time
Damage/injuryA single time axis is not
sufficient for describing
and handling the
course of events in the
system and its
surroundings.