In an unusual emergency where contacting a supervisor would take too long, what is the best procedure to follow?

• A. Confer immediately with your men on the best action to take and let the majority opinion prevail
• B. Confer with any other supervisor
• C. Make no decision because you have no precedents to follow
• D. Act according to your best judgment

Answer: (D)

In an emergency where contacting a supervisor would take too long, you must rely on your training and on-the-spot judgment. Acting on your best judgment uses your knowledge of policy, safety, and risk to decide the immediate action. Waiting for a mentor, consensus, or precedent wastes time and can worsen outcomes, and there may be no relevant precedent for the situation. While collaboration is valuable in normal circumstances, decisive leadership is required here. After acting, communicate clearly to the team and adjust if new information arrives.