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I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first idea immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, let's do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes five phases:

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor

or in more general terms:

1. Collect and analyse information at the incident
2. Predict incident behaviour
3. Tabulate and keep track of resources
4. Prepare available strategies to control the incident over time
5. Apply appropriate strategy for the time

I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first idea immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, let's do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes several phases:

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor

or in more general terms:

1. Wake everyone up and get them moving
2. Work out what's going on
3. Brainstorm solutions
4. Pick one and plan it
5. Tell everyone what their job is
6. Execute and monitor

I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first idea immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, let's do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes five phases:

1. Collect and analyse information at the incident
2. Predict incident behaviour
3. Tabulate and keep track of resources
4. Prepare available strategies to control the incident over time
5. Apply appropriate strategy for the time

Or if you want a funky acronym to recall when a fire occurs...

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor

I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first idea immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, let's do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes five phases:

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor

or in more general terms:

1. Collect and analyse information at the incident
2. Predict incident behaviour
3. Tabulate and keep track of resources
4. Prepare available strategies to control the incident over time
5. Apply appropriate strategy for the time

I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first one immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes five phases:

1. Collect and analyse information at the fire/incident
2. Predict fire/incident behaviour
3. Tabulate and keep track of resources
4. Prepare available strategies to control the fire/incident over time
5. Apply appropriate strategy for the time

Or need a funky acronym to recall in a crisis?

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor

I recall reading a study on how fire marshalls form a plan of action on arrival at the scene of a fire; the study observed (and condemned) them for coming up with an idea, then pursuing that first idea immediately. Due to the pressure of time, it was pretty much "this might work" followed by "ok, let's do that". The study noted that better, quicker, safer options were available, but they were not followed simply because the marshalls didn't think of them first.

If you want a structured approach to dealing with "fires" perhaps take a leaf out of their (new) book which prescribes five phases:

1. Collect and analyse information at the incident
2. Predict incident behaviour
3. Tabulate and keep track of resources
4. Prepare available strategies to control the incident over time
5. Apply appropriate strategy for the time

Or if you want a funky acronym to recall when a fire occurs...

R.R.A.P.I.D.

1. Reaction - Mobilize resources to incident
2. Reconnaissance - Collect data about the situation
3. Appreciation - Choose a course of action based on best and worst case scenarios
4. Plan - develop a plan based on the course of action
5. Issue of Orders - Use the standard briefing format
6. Deployment - Execute and monitor