framework of operations, i.e. which physical and mental limits
the response operation is within. The most common is that the
geographic limits are constituted by the normal cordoning off of
the incident site. But the damage can in some cases extend be-
yond these boundaries. It can be necessary for a higher manage-
ment level to determine which geographic overview the person
in charge at the incident site has. It can, for example, be difficult
for an incident commander, who physically or mentally is work-
ing very close to the incident site in a stressful situation, to have
control over more than the area closest to the damage. Stress can
create a type of tunnel vision and there may be physical limits as
to how large an area that an individual can visually survey.
One may also need to identify within which framework that
incident site command takes actions when in comes to injured
persons. If both longterm and shortterm effects of an emergency
are considered, there can be a very large number of persons who
are affected to larger or lesser degrees. It can then be necessary
to define the emergency response operation based on the needs of
the affected persons. One should then be aware that these needs
can vary widely for one and the same response operation. The
persons affected by an emergency are not a homogeneous group.
However, once the emergency stage has passed, the events are no
longer considered as municipal rescue service. Nonetheless, a mu-
nicipal structure for providing rescue services cannot ignore the
fact that the persons affected require further assistance. These
people may require assistance from another party or be offered as-
sistance from another source. As an example, it may be necessary
to contact the municipal social services.
Fire chief and incident commanders
A fire chief is primarily responsible for ensuring that operations
are appropriately organised for the tasks at hand, regardless of
the number of ongoing response operations or if operations are
being carried out at all. A municipal incident commander is appoin-
ted when an emergency response operation is initiated and there
shall be an incident commander for each operation. According to
Swedish law, the fire chief is the incident commander. However,
he or she can appoint another person to serve as the incident com-
mander, but still retains overall responsibility for operations. Be-
cause the fire chief appoints incident commanders, it follows that
it is the fire chief’s responsibility to initiate emergency response