Arrival Assignments Matter — But So Does Knowing When to Call the Audible

Predetermined arrival assignments are critical to organized fireground operations. They reduce confusion, speed up task completion, and limit the burden on the incident commander.

But rigid systems fail when staffing realities don’t match the plan.

Career departments with guaranteed staffing can rely heavily on fixed assignments. Volunteer systems often can’t. That’s where calling the audible becomes essential.

The key isn’t abandoning assignments — it’s ensuring critical tasks are completed regardless of who arrives. Clear communication about staffing levels and capabilities allows command to adapt without chaos.

Assignments should guide operations, not handcuff them.