Tactics, command, leadership

The mechanics of the system and the mechanical properties are

also based on the transfer of energy. Work that is performed by,

for example, a pump is converted to kinetic energy in the water

which then returns to being work as it leaves the nozzle. Some

energy is lost along the way in that a small quantity of the kinetic

energy is given off through, among other things, turbulence.

The majority of buildings and installations have some form of

protection system. These are designed to activate and protect the

object against different forms of undesirable energy conversion

or transfer. A simple example of this is a car seat belt, which in

a collision absorbs some of the kinetic energy which otherwise

would cause personal injury to the passenger. In the same way fire

cells protect the area surrounding them against the energy a fire

would otherwise release. Retaining barriers are designed to pro-

tect against various forms of energy conversion that occur when,

for example, chemicals are discharged. And the water a sprinkler

system sprays onto a fire is designed to absorb some of the energy

that has been dev eloped and is threatening to spread the fire.

The measures that the municipal structure for providing rescue

services applies work in exactly the same way: through various

means they prevent and limit the degree of damage caused by the

energy that is released or converted in an incident or accident.

A commander should, therefore, have a fundamental under­

standing of the forces at work, how energy is converted and what

happens when different measures are initiated, coordinated and

executed. Primarily because it is on his or her shoulders that the

responsibility for the work carried out at the incident site lies.

A tactical approach is founded on fundamental knowledge of inci-

dents, damage and objects.

Pressure

caused by the

vapour of the

substance

Potential

energy stored

in the height

of the column

of liquid

Kinetic energy in the

flow of liquid

When a tank leaks the
pressure and potential
energy are converted to
kinetic energy in the
liquid that is flowing out.