Tactics, command, leadership

The organisation must be able to adapt itself to different situa-
tions with different degrees of dynamism, as well as to the diffe-
rent phases of courses of events. It must also be manned in such a
way that the expectations placed on the individual are reasonable
and logical. The command system is the tool for providing pur-
poseful and effective emergency response operations. Unexpec-
ted situations must also be dealt with, which is made possible by
the fact that the system can also work anticipatively to different
extents, depending on, among other things, the decision domain
and the situation. With the help of aim of the operation the direc-
tion of operations can be steered, influenced and transformed. In
a corresponding way the work at incident sites can be influenced
by setting clear goals for operations. A single response operation
as much as several simultaneous operations must aim to pull in
the same direction. The direction is set from above, but the signals
which determine this must be based on the assistance need. The
aim is to provide those in need in an emergency with the best pos-
sible assistance.
When a command organisation is created leadership, style of
leadership and group norms are fundamental and will affect the
results of emergency response operations. Through the comman-
der adopting a suitable leadership style – depending on, among
other things, the situation – he or she can serve as an example, in-
spiring and motivating subordinates to do the right things. As ne-
cessary, commanders can also correct or guide ongoing operations
or measures, by, for example, supporting or confronting their per-
sonnel. This is also connected to the form of control, where mana-
gement by details is more closely tied to conventional management
and leadership development is more closely tied to management
by objectives.
The municipal structure for providing rescue services is made
up of individuals with different demands, expectations and needs.
The way in which they are grouped affects the conduct of these
individuals in different ways, in different types of situations. Deci-
sion domains provide the individuals with the authority to handle
certain problems or issues. These decision domains exist in a con-
text together with other decision domains. Leadership entails being
part of and managing a social context, which is prevalent also to
emergency response operations.
The purpose is to meet the assistance need connected to an
emergency or the impending danger of one.