Assessment Center Fire Tactical Problem
One of the areas promotional candidates get into trouble in the fire simulations is they lose equipment. You can overcome this by using a piece of paper with a line drawn down the center. When you order equipment put the responding units on the right hand side of the line. When you assign the equipment move it to the left side of the line. It’s not uncommon at the end of the drill for the raters to ask you where certain units are assigned. Using this simple formula you always know where the units are assigned.
Staging is another area where you can lose equipment. Although you should ID where staging will be located so you can get credit with the raters, don’t use it! You have assignments that need to be accomplished. The wheels start coming off the wagon for most candidates right about the time they start assigning the second alarm units. Before you start assigning those second alarm units, get an updated report of conditions from fire attack. I’ll bet the fire is going to be getting bigger, requiring more resources. But, before you start placing those resources, call for a third or greater alarm because you are going to need them. They will probably be responding from a greater distance or from mutual aid.
Then, catch those units while they’re responding in and give them their assignments. I find most candidates don’t think big enough here. Stay ahead of the curve. Order the enough equipment early. It’s fantasyland. You can order anything you desire. You won’t be criticized for it. You will certainly be buried if you don’t!