Tactics, command, leadership

of a response operation as set by the superior level. Management

by details, however, involves attention being directed downward

from a superior level so as to monitor what is occurring and how

tasks are being executed. Through management by objectives, the

issue of control is oriented to results, not to how a task is executed

(Swedish Rescue Service Agency, 1998a).

Peoples’ perceptions of their own abilities can be more or less

realistic. It is relatively unusual that one grossly overestimates

one’s own abilities. It is much more common to underestimate

one’s own qualifications and abilities. Among other things, the

ability to interpret one’s surrounding environment varies. The

interpretation is always influenced by one’s own needs, expecta-

tions, knowledge and previous experiences. An employee who does

During an attic fire the incident commander decides to allow the whole
of the attic to burn in a controlled form. The work largely concerns
ensuring that the fire does not spread downwards in the building. A single
firefighter is not aware of the whole picture and consequently begins to
shoot large quantities of water towards the attic from outside the building,
causing considerable water damage.
To avoid such things happening, firefighters must have faith in the
decisions of the commander and realise that there are logical reasons for, as
in this example, not applying certain measures.

Example 5