SOP 208.01 STRATEGIC DELEGATION

The fireground commander determines the overall strategy. The “orders” given to subordinates by the fireground commander should be given in broad statements such as: “Engine 915 take rescue” or “Tower 909 execute ventilation".

With proper training, a good company officer will figure out the best tactics to employ to carry out the strategy. He will then figure out the best methods to carry out the tactics.

As fireground commander, it is best to manage by exception. The fireground commander should limit superfluous radio traffic by training his subordinate officers to report to him only if:

They have met the objective given.

They cannot meet the objective given.

There is a safety problem.

They need more resources to meet the objective.

The primary objective is to control the incident, so we can save lives and protect property. The “Strategy” (Overall Plan) we employ, and the “Tactics” (Methods/Tools) we utilize are based on information/facts. The decision based on facts that you know to be true is the right decision. The worst action you can take is to make “No Decision”.

By using this guideline the fireground commander can effectively manage the incident.