System command shall, as other decision domains, be based on a
tactical approach, i.e. the optimal use of available resources in rela-
tion to the ongoing incident, emergency preparedness production
and prevailing risk situation. An active system command makes
it possible to quickly adapt to changes in the risk situation, have
well balanced emergency preparedness production, execute ongo-
ing response operations effectively and ensure that the assistance
need is met. A tactical approach to system command is then based
on, among other aspects, active and continuous application and
a balance between the needs of emergency preparedness produc-
tion, the risk situation, ongoing response operations and the total
assistance need.
By way of conclusion then, the decision domain system com-
mand entails continual redefinition, assessment and decision
making concerning the role of the entire organisation in relation
to the situation and the other organisations in the community.
System command’s duty is thus, in different ways and in diffe-
rent forms, to initiate emergency response operations, appoint
incident commanders and to define and provide frameworks for
responses in terms of response intent, resources, time and geo-
graphy. But primarily, system command shall ensure that the to-
tal need for assistance is satisfied. A significant part of the work
of system command is also to ensure that the system as a whole
functions as a part of the community’s total crisis command sys-
tem. This means, among other things, continual cooperation with
other organisations.
Operational command
The decision domain operational command is responsible for the
ongoing operation on the basis of the framework, in terms of the
aim of the operation, time, resources and geography that is given
by system command. Operational command, however, must fol-
low the instructions and guidelines issued by system command.
On the basis of this, the operational command shall decide on
the goal for the operation, i.e. the goal for the individual emergency
response operation.
From here operational command decides upon the measures to
apply to achieve the goal of the operation decided upon. And on
the basis of the measures, operational command then allocates
tasks to the various organisational elements appointed to execute
the response operation. The organisational elements can be sepa-