Command Competence provides evidence-based training, tactical decision games, and consulting to improve fireground decision-making through Tactical Decision Games and scenario-based learning..
What is Command Competence?
Command Competence is a fire service training and consulting organization focused on developing incident command decision-making in complex, time-compressed environments.
What are Tactical Decision Games?
Tactical Decision Games are a form of scenario-based training designed to develop decision-making in realistic fireground situations. Scenario-based training provides a structured way to build experience, improve judgment, and prepare officers for complex incidents. 10-Minute Training is one part of a broader approach to developing incident command competence through structured, scenario-based training.
10-Minute Training Tactical Decision Games (TDGs) provide short, realistic scenarios designed to strengthen size-up, tactical prioritization, and command decision-making skills. Each training is structured for individual use or group discussion and can be completed in approximately ten minutes.
Shared Learning Through Tactical Decision Games
10-Minute TDGs can be completed individually; however, their greatest value is realized in small-group or company-level discussion. Working through scenarios collectively helps develop shared mental models related to risk management, strategy selection, tactical priorities, and command decision-making. This shared understanding improves coordination and performance when similar conditions are encountered on actual incidents.
The training system emphasizes recognition of critical cues, anticipation of likely fireground developments, and evaluation of operational options under time pressure.
Explore the system:
- Training Overview – Overview of the TDG concept and how to use these training materials
- Training Library – Searchable database of 10-Minute Training TDGs
- Topic Based Training Collections – Collections of TDGs focused on important topics such as Maydays, wind influenced fires and hazmat incidents.
The Challenge: Decision Making Under Uncertainty
Fire officers are required to make high-risk decisions with limited and evolving information.
Common challenges include:
- Uncertain or incomplete information
- Rapidly changing fire conditions
- Time pressure to act
- Coordinating multiple companies
What Does Good Look Like?
Effective fireground decision-making includes:
- A clear and accurate size-up
- Identification of critical factors
- Selection of an appropriate strategy
- Implementation of timely, decisive, and effective tactical action
- Continuous reassessment
From Training to Fireground Performance
10-Minute Training is one part of a broader approach to developing incident command competence through structured, scenario-based training.
Departments use these methods to:
- Build officer decision-making capability
- Improve performance on working incidents
- Develop structured officer training programs
Command Competence partners with fire departments and training organizations to strengthen decision-making systems, training programs, and the analysis of complex operational events through professional services.
Professional Services
In addition to free training resources, Command Competence provides a suite of professional services designed to support operational performance, training system development, and organizational learning.
Fireground Decision-Making & Incident Command Consulting
Support for evaluating and improving command decision processes, operational reasoning, and risk management using structured analysis grounded in cognitive science, fire behavior research, and real-world command experience.
Simulation and Scenario Development
Design and implementation of simulation systems, scenario libraries, and progressive command exercises to support realistic practice, tactical rehearsal, assessment centers, and training system modernization.
Fire Dynamics Training
Fire dynamics education for firefighters and officers focused on practical understanding of fire behavior, ventilation effects, flow paths, and tactical implications for safer and more effective operations.
Serious Incident Review Support
Operational analysis of serious firefighter injuries and line-of-duty deaths, including timeline reconstruction, decision-making evaluation, fire behavior interpretation, and actionable recommendations for training and system improvement.
How Command Competence Works
Training and consulting services are built around:
- Scenario-based learning
- Structured operational analysis
- Integration of fire behavior science
- Development of decision-making under uncertainty
- Practical application to real fireground conditions
Programs and services are tailored to organizational needs, staffing models, and operational context.
Get Started
Whether you are looking to strengthen individual skills through Tactical Decision Games or develop organizational command capability through training and consulting, Command Competence can help.