Two company officers give you conflicting orders on the scene of a structure fire. How would you respond?
Communication is critical on the fireground. If you have orders to perform a specific task and are given different orders, you need to let the officer know what assignment you were first issued. Usually, they will assign another Firefighter the job. If they do not, communicate to the first officer your new assignment and have them decide which needs to be done first.
There is a chain of command in the fire service that needs to be followed. Some Firefighters think if a company officer with a higher rank gives an order on the scene of a structure fire, that order needs to be followed regardless of what orders a lower-ranking officer has given you. However, the higher-ranking officer needs to be told what assignment you were first issued.
For example, suppose your fire Captain or Lieutenant assigns you to fire suppression. While on your way to suppress the fire, a Battalion Chief orders you to throw a ladder to the roof and perform ventilation. If you followed the Chief's orders without telling them you had another assignment, the fire would not be suppressed.
The interviewer wants to hear that you have excellent communication skills and do not have a problem speaking up when given conflicting orders. Describe how you would communicate to the officers to see what assignment should be done first.
"If I was in the middle of performing a job the first officer gave me and was asked to do something different, I would tell the second officer what my assignment was. If they don't assign that task to someone else, I would let the first officer know that I had a new assignment and ask what they want me to do. The most important thing is to communicate with both officers."
When responding to this question, avoid saying you would not speak up and perform the task given by the highest-ranking officer. If you do not communicate with the officer, there will be chaos on the fireground, and specific jobs will not be completed.
The company officer giving you conflicting orders may not know you were given another assignment. When you communicate with them, they can decide to assign the task to someone else or contact the other officer to determine what task should be performed first.
Communication is essential on any call, not just structure fires. Suppose you were on the scene of a vehicle accident and were assigned patient care by one officer, but five minutes later, another officer gives you an order to perform vehicle extrication. If you do not tell the second officer another officer assigned you patient care, that patient will be left unattended.
"If I was given conflicting orders on a structure fire or another emergency call, I would communicate with the officer assigning me the second task. I would tell them what assignment the first officer gave me and ask what they would like me to do. Most likely, the second officer was not aware I had already been assigned a job."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
If I was given conflicting orders on the scene of a structure fire, I would let the officer that assigned me the second task know what my current assignment was, who ordered it, and ask what he or she wants me to do? If he instructs me to carry out his order, I would quickly let the 1st officer know what my new assignment was, who it came from, and then complete the task at hand. The most important aspect of this scenario is effective communication to prevent unnecessary chaos at the scene.
Amanda's Feedback
You're right. Clear communication is key, especially in an emergency situation. With this answer, you've highlighted your ability to communicate well in a team-based environment. Consider also emphasizing that you'd clarify your orders as quickly as possible so that no time is wasted in an emergent situation.
Anonymous Answer
If two company officers gave me conflicting orders I would first tell the second officer of my previous order. I would try my best to figure out a way to mediate the situation, in hopes of finding another person that can help with the task.
Amanda's Feedback
This is a good start! When it comes to a fire, it's important that you would work as quickly and efficiently as possible due to the emergent circumstances. Consider talking about how you'd advise the 2nd officer of your initial order and then confirm which order takes precedence. Then, share how you'd follow through as quickly as possible.
Anonymous Answer
I would let the second officer know what the initial order I was given was and leave it up to the officer to confirm which task I should complete.
Amanda's Feedback
Communication and clarification are key when given conflicting orders in an emergency situation. Sharing that you would quickly explain the first order and confirm which should be carried out shows you understand the importance of clarifying, following orders and communicating well in a hectic situation.
Anonymous Answer
In this situation, if I were performing a task given to me by one officer, and a second officer comes to me with a different task, I would tell the second officer about the task the first officer assigned me. Depending on the task at hand, the second officer should then either find someone else for their task or assign another firefighter to conduct my current task. If my task is reassigned, we must let the first officer know what has changed. This way, both tasks should be completed, and everyone should know what is going on.
Amanda's Feedback
Fantastic! Your confidence and familiarity with appropriately handling conflicting orders comes through very clearly and shows the interviewer that your logical approach is the best way to ensure both tasks are completed and everyone is informed.
Anonymous Answer
If I am working a scene and my lieutenant gives me the order to go grab a bag off of the truck and on my way there, the Battalion Chief asks me to do something else, I would inform them that my Lieutenant had asked me to grab this bag for them first but I am 100 percent willing to do whatever task he may ask of me after I give the lieutenant the bag.
Amanda's Feedback
I like that your answer shows an enthusiasm to do whatever is needed to help and see your assigned duties through to completion. In this particular situation, if you were performing a task assigned to you by one officer, and a second officer asked you to complete a different task, it's absolutely right to tell the second officer about the task the first officer assigned you. Depending on the task at hand, the second officer should then either find someone else for his or her task or assign another firefighter to conduct your current task. If your first task is reassigned, it's important to let the first officer know what has changed. This way, both tasks should be completed, and everyone should know what is going on. Communicating clearly with all parties ensures that vital tasks needed to keep your team safe or help others are completed as timely and thoroughly as possible.
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