When an incident commander steps off the rig at a working fire, the first instinct may be to dive straight into command decisions—assign crews, set objectives, call for more resources. But the most critical move they make at the very beginning is deceptively simple: they walk.
A 360-degree walk-around of the structure isn’t just a box to check. It’s a foundational act of leadership. That walk offers the IC the full context—fire location, smoke conditions, access points, collapse potential, and, most importantly, hazards or victims that aren’t visible from the front. Without it, you’re commanding from a place of assumption, not reality. And in this line of work, assumptions can be deadly.
But the walk-around is more than just physical; it’s symbolic of how an incident commander must think. They must see the whole fire, not just what’s visible from their initial viewpoint. That means understanding the interior layout, fire behavior, where crews are operating, and how conditions are changing. They need real-time intel, clear communication, and a mental map of the evolving situation. Just like circling the building, they must mentally circle the operation, asking: What am I missing?
Great incident commanders don’t just stand in one spot—they continuously seek new angles, ask tough questions, and stay curious throughout the call. Because when lives and property are on the line, only a complete, 360-degree perspective will do.
The Third Bugle 