There are fires in two areas of a forest. The long distance between them
means that they have no physical effect on one another, and there is no
direct physical connection between them. There is, however, a dependency
between them when it comes to resources. For example, only one helicopter
is available and the use of this must be optimised as it is a limitation
resource, i.e. a resource that in some way limits what can be achieved with
regard to the two fires. Maintenance service, public assistance in accordance
with the legal possibility of enforcing compulsory service and other
resource aspects may also need to be coordinated between the two. The basic
criteria for what a rescue service is can otherwise be considered as fulfilled
in the example. Seen from a damage perspective the fires can be taken as
involving two separate emergency response operations. But seen from a
resource perspective they should perhaps be considered as involving a single
operation. The resources are, then, the limiting factor and the manner in
which they are to be handled needs to be taken into
account when the response operation or operations is or are being defined.
Irrespective of whether this is taken as one or two response operations, it
is important that all those involved share a common view of the situation.
There is no obvious solution to this type of problem, but agreement must be
reached and decisions made, if not beforehand, then when the
situation arises.
Example 2