Situational Judgement / Judgement and Decision Making
Understanding Situational Judgement
Situational judgement tests (SJTs) present realistic work scenarios and ask you to choose the most effective response. They assess your judgement, decision-making, and alignment with fire service values such as safety, teamwork, and integrity.
Key concepts include:
- Prioritising safety: Always consider the safety of yourself, colleagues, and the public.
- Following protocols: Adhering to procedures and chain of command.
- Teamwork and communication: Collaborating effectively and communicating clearly.
- Integrity and professionalism: Acting ethically and responsibly.
- Problem-solving: Assessing situations and choosing practical solutions.
Common Traps
- Choosing the heroic but unsafe option: e.g., rushing into danger without backup.
- Ignoring protocol: Bypassing rules to save time.
- Being overly passive: Not taking action when necessary.
- Misjudging priorities: Focusing on minor issues while neglecting major risks.
- Poor communication: Failing to inform or involve others.
Worked Example
You are a firefighter responding to a call. On arrival, you see a small fire in a bin, but the homeowner insists there is a person trapped inside. What do you do? A) Rush into the house immediately to search. B) Follow standard procedure: assess the scene, call for backup, and enter with a team. C) Tell the homeowner to calm down and wait. D) Put out the bin fire first.
Answer: B. Safety and protocol are paramount. Rushing in alone is unsafe; ignoring the claim is negligent. Following procedure ensures a coordinated response.
Rule of thumb: Always prioritise safety, follow procedures, and involve your team.