Tactics, command, leadership

the response that the decision maker is familiar with such time
constants and delays.
It can, however, be difficult to assign strict values to these
time constants. In general terms we can say, though, that
measures with high time constants should not be applied to
short term tasks, in which a rapid effect is called for, as it may
well take longer to implement and gain an effect from the
measure than the situation calls for. In can also be inappro­
priate to apply measures with a low time constant to longer
term situations, since the measure and the resource it is based
could possibly become exhausted before the goal is achieved. An
example of the latter would be foaming, which requires that a
minimum amount of foam is produced before the process is be-
gun. Starting a foaming measure before there is sufficient foam
to cover the required area can create more problems than it sol-
ves, in the form of unwanted effects on the environment for ex-
ample, with out the problem (the fire) for which it was applied
being dealt with satisfactorily. Another example is the measure of
sawing a hole in a roof to release heat and combustion gases. Such
measures, in some cases, can be rather time consuming. If the fire
in the space under the roof expands quickly the sawing measure
can become meaningless on completion or not be completed be-
cause the work becomes too dangerous.
The time constants of measures incorporate, among other
aspects, the capacity of the resources. There is also an important
link between the time constant of a measure and the time con-
stant of the damage, which is to say that there are important
connections between the capacity and sustainability of the re-
sources and the development of the damage. Consequently,
it must be possible to control the resource in such a way as to
affect the relationship between the resource and the damage.
Let us say, for example, that in connection to a chemical dis­
charge there are two full­suit fire fighter units available that
can be used in different ways depending on the capacity re-
quirement. They can be applied simultaneously and thereby
increase the capacity at an earlier stage – more hands avai-
lable to repair the damage more quickly. Or sustainability can
be improved by engaging the groups consecutively, allowing
the work to continue longer. Or, alternatively, safety can be
increased by engaging one unit as a protective measure for the
other. The best solution depends on, among other things, the