Tactics, command, leadership

Because of the insecurity, indistinctness and ambiguity that the
problem solving system exists in, the experience that is gained is im-
portant as it enables the whole system to learn how to handle a wide
variety of incidents and accidents in as many different situations.
Note also that the learning process goes on throughout the re-
sponse operation itself and the knowledge base is then further
enhanced by the experience gained through retrospection. The
learning process then calls for reflection and a deliberate effort
to gain experience.
The discussion above points out the heart of the problem, i.e.
that the whole response operation should in principle be based on
problems that have to be solved, that is to say on the basis of the
assistance needs of the victims at the incident site. This in turn af-
fects how command should be structured at an incident site and
how authority should be allocated.
Measures are based on material as much as personnel re-
sources. Moreover they incorporate knowledge. Measures at
an incident site occur when personnel use resources to solve
various problems. Both the resources and the personnel set
limits for the measures that can be executed. Not least among
these is the physical and mental capacity of personnel, but
equipment also has its safe working limits. Such limitations
must be identified and acknowledged by the problem sol-
ving system. Otherwise the system will not work effectively,
through, for example, the ineffective application of resources and
personnel. What is more, dangerous situations can easily arise
when limits are stretched. As the rescue service works in a state
of insecurity and the work itself involves taking certain risks, the
work at an incident site must be executed as safely as possible, by,
for example, following the formal and informal regulations and
directions that apply to certain tasks or with the use of certain
pieces of equipment. Training and exercises are fundamental to
this.
The resources at an incident site incorporate many different
forms of hardware and software. It is normally easy to identi-
fy both the equipment itself and its limitations; if by no other
means, by looking up the relevant information in the instruction
manual. Examples of hardware that are used in response opera-
tions are pumps, nozzles, hoses, fans, chain saws, power cutters,
axes, pumping appliances, aerial vehicles, BA (breathing appa-
ratus), full suits and masks, and ladders. The list can go on for