In addition to naturalistic decision making, what is the other decision-making model used by fire ground commanders?

Recognition-primed decision making (RPDM) is a critical decision-making model used by fire ground commanders because it emphasizes how experienced individuals make decisions based on their ability to recognize patterns and cues in their environment. This model allows commanders to draw from their past experiences and situational awareness to identify effective actions quickly. In high-pressure situations, such as those encountered during firefighting, relying on intuition shaped by extensive experience can lead to faster and more appropriate responses.

The essence of RPDM is that rather than weighing all possible options and outcomes as in more analytical models, commanders often assess a situation and quickly decide on a course of action based on recognized patterns, past experiences, and potential outcomes that seem familiar. This efficiency is crucial during emergencies when time is of the essence.

In contrast, while analytical reasoning involves a step-by-step process to evaluate each option systematically, fire ground operations often require quick decisions that may not lend themselves well to this method. Scenario-based decision-making and the directive approach have their own merit but do not encompass the intuition-based aspect of decision-making that RPDM captures. Thus, RPDM's focus on recognizing familiar patterns and making swift, informed decisions makes it particularly effective for fire ground commanders.