tial stages of structuring a response operation. Normally the prac-
tical build up, i.e. manning of positions and the turnout of, for
example, units and commanders, takes some time; this is known
as the buildup phase. Personnel often arrive separately and are
allocated a task or a position for this phase. The amount of time
required to establish a particular function in the command system
may vary. This is also a form of inherent time, delay, which was
discussed above.
In this connection we should also bear in mind that at some
point the operation will be wound down and completed. This will,
among other things, affect the production of emergency prepa-
redness. The longer units are engaged at a specific incident site,
the longer emergency preparedness production is affected. It is
necessary to continually weigh up the benefits of having a parti-
cular resource available and not engaged in a response operation
(for example at a break point), engaging the resource in work at
the incident site, moving it to another incident site or using it for
emergency preparedness production. This weighing up will cause
both time and space to be influenced in different ways.
The location of the command post
Another question often asked of the municipal structure for
providing rescue services, which has a connection to the above
discussion on time and space, concerns the geographic loca-
tion of different commanders. For both practical and legal rea-
sons a location that facilitates obtaining a picture of the situa-
tion should be selected, depending, among other things, on the
authority of the commander in question. This entails different
commanders being located in different places since the na-
ture of the task or its scope calls for this. The optimal location
of a commander can also change with time. There are several
factors involved in selecting the best location. A visual impres-
sion is very beneficial to understanding the development of a
situation, but higher commanders must completely or partially
depend on reports that they receive. As discussed above, this re-
quires good time and space perception.
In the majority of response operations the incident comman-
der is in personal contact with his or her subordinate officers.
This clearly facilitates communication; basic reports and instruc-
tions can be relayed verbally.
Even body language can be an important source of information.