TASK Three (M1, D1) SCENARIO

Jack has been a Crew Manager firefighter with Green Watch for the last two years. While attending a warehouse fire at night, his Watch Manager is injured and rendered unconscious leaving Jack in command of 15 other firefighters. Green Watch is a close-knit group who work together extremely well and are experienced and are competent. There is no immediate risk to the public as the warehouse is empty and the surrounding area is deserted due to the late hour. However, there is substantial threat to neighbouring property if the fire cannot be contained.

If Jack is a Democratic Crew Manager, he would gain the respect from his team as he will allow them to put across their opinions and solutions to resolve the situation. However Jack has got a small time scale because of the risk to surrounding buildings, to decide on a solution to the given situation, so all fifteen firefighters will not be able to put forward their views due to the lack of time to respond. Jack will have to make the final decision that will be safe for his team and to protect the surrounding buildings. This style of leadership is effective as the team will feel a sense of power and motivation, knowing they are able put across their opinions and be heard by the team leader, also they will be aware that the final decision that is made by the team leader which will be made on the welfare of the team and the target to control the fire.

Although if Jack was a Laissez-Faire leader he would take a back seat to the situation and will not give any guidance to the fifteen firemen who are risking their lives to control the fire to protect the surrounding buildings. A Laissez-Faire leader believes that their team would work best if they are left to their own responsibilities. Jacks team are well experienced and competent, but they still need a leader to motivate and plan an effective solution to the situation of the fire. I dont think Laissez-Faire style of leadership would be most effective in this situation, due to the short amount of time before the fire gets beyond control and cause damage to surrounding buildings. A leader is a figure of authority that can guide and direct a team to achieve a specific goal. A Laissez-Faire leader doesnt guide or direct, they leave their team to respond to their own responsibilities.

I would suggest Jack to employ a Democratic style of leadership. I think that this style is most appropriate because Jack will have the authority to motivate the team, also allow them to put forward opinions and guide them to controlling the fire and protect the surrounding buildings and limit any further damage. The team have only got a short time to make decision; a Democratic leader retains the final decision but they may wish to you a solution that was suggested by a member of their team. Jacks team will work well together because they are all well experienced and the sense of empowerment through a Democratic style of leadership will give them that adrenaline rush to control the situation. The Laissez-Faire style will not be appropriate because there is no leading actually happening. I am aware the firefighters are responding to their own responsibilities, but all fifteen men will try to be the figure of authority, this wont be effective in this given situation with lives at risk.