Rescue By Committee....Generally, It Doesn't Work

Since I don’t work in Detroit, Buffalo, Baltimore or Camden, unfortunately I don’t get to go to a fire everyday.  With that said, second to fireground operations, I greatly enjoy rescue operations.  The challenge, complexity, and technical skills involved with rescue operations make them very appealing to me.  Rescue operations also require a great deal of teamwork due to the tactics that must be employed to overcome the challenges a rescue operation presents.  I have found that there are usually two types of people interested in rescue operations: go getters with “Type A” personalities and folks that like to wear a T-shirt that says they are part of something special.  Typically, the latter will be exposed as you can only hide for so long in this job. However, that’s another topic for another day.  Anyways, when there are multiple “Type A” personalities operating together, very good things can occur.  However, there can also be instances where egos and opinions detract from the mission.  “Rescue By Committee” is one such instance and this post will identify this behavior and give you tools to prevent it’s occurrence.

I was first introduced to the term “Rescue By Committee” by Chief Willie Rice while we observed an operation at a rope rescue class a few years ago.  Though this was my first introduction to the term, it certainly wasn’t my introduction to the behavior.  I had observed the behavior, and the operational hindrance it can cause, many times during drills and emergency incidents.  “Rescue By Committee” is when a committee of folks are implementing a rescue plan, however none of the committee members are on the same sheet of music.  The efforts of the committee members, while well intentioned, are usually not very productive and, in some instances, counteract the efforts of other committee members.  Rescue operations should be carried out by a team rather than a committee.  Teamwork allows folks to work together to accomplish the common goal.

To prevent “Rescue By Committee”, we must understand how and why it occurs.  As I said above, there are many folks with “Type A” personalities involved with rescue operations.  In many instances, at least in their own mind, everyone seems to have a better idea or method than the next person.  It’s okay to have ideas or opinions, the problem begins when the ideas or opinions prevent implementation, and progress, of an effective rescue plan.

Development of the rescue plan can be a team effort. There are many instances where an officer or the Rescue supervisor are not the most knowledgeable members in the respective discipline that the rescue operation falls into.  This is a key part to teamwork and leadership.  Good leaders will be able to call upon the resources within their team to develop and implement the rescue plan.  While the officer may not be the member who developed the rescue plan, it is their responsibility to manage the implementation of the rescue plan.  Strong leadership is essential to ensure the rescue plan is effectively put in to action.  If “Rescue By Committee” starts to occur, the officer must immediately intervene and communicate the implemented rescue plan to ensure folks are adhering to it.      

Generally, the rescue plan that has been implemented should be kept intact unless it is failing to be effective, is going to injure the rescuers or patient, or incident conditions change.  With that said, any member of the team can bring attention to these items.   Contingency plans should be established in the instance that the rescue plan needs to be modified or changed.  However, implementation of the contingency plans does not occur until the officer or Rescue supervisor deems the implementation appropriate.  This may be occur as the result of their own observations or after consulting with team members.  Regardless of their own feelings, rescue team members should not stray from the rescue plan simply because they feel their plan is better.  As stated above, actions such as this are often counterproductive and may counteract progress being made.

As this post has emphasized, rescue teamwork is more effective than “Rescue By Committee”.  A rescue team will operate effectively during rescue operations due to strong leadership and discipline amongst team members.  Egos are able to be put aside as focus is placed on accomplishing the mission rather than ego fulfillment.  A rescue plan is established, implemented, evaluated, and accomplished in an efficient and effective manner by rescue teams.  “Rescue By Committee” does not establish a common plan, involves unorganized implementation, and involves plans that are not objectively evaluated.  The results of “Rescue By Committee” are inefficiency and ineffectiveness.