At some point, as a structural firefight gets worse, the person in charge is going to be at a critical decision point. The elapsed time into the incident when that happens will vary based on a number of factors (covered extensively in my situational awareness class). When the time comes, what are the decision options.
A crew is working inside a fire and things are not going well. At some point the person in charge will decide on one of three options:
1. Let the existing crew operate a little longer in hopes that the progress will improve.
2. Fortify the firefight with additional resources in hopes the progress will improve.
3. Order a withdrawal of personnel from the building.
When you look at it that way, it seems easy. There are only three options. However, choosing the option that is right is the sticky part.
Assume you let the crew operate a little longer (hypothetically, 2 more minutes) and after that time there still isn't appreciable progress. You are now back to the same three decision options previously outlined.
Assume you decide to fortify the firefight with additional resources and then give them some additional time (say, 4 minutes) and after that time there still isn't appreciable progress. You are, once again, at the same three decision options.
Why is it so are to make the decision to withdrawal? Psychologists might suggest it has to do, in part, with our Type-A, competitive, ego-driven personalities. We don't like to lose and a withdrawal from the fire is akin to the admission of defeat. Even if the commander orders the withdrawal they are likely to hear "Just give us a few more minutes, chief, we're making good progress." Why? We don't like to lose.
All the while, the incident is drifting toward a disaster and the situational awareness of the commander has eroded away. Just two more minutes... then two more... then two more... then MAYDAY!
Set the ego aside and make the right decision in time to ensure the outcome is not a firefighter casualty.
Fire Chief (ret.) Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO, MICP
Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Situational Awareness & Decision Making
http://www.richgasaway.com/
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