Decision-Making, Judgment and Critical Incident Management
This domain tests how you make defensible decisions under pressure and how you fit into command at a critical incident. The exam looks for structured reasoning, awareness of powers and ethics, and clear recording.
Core rules
- Use a structured sequence: gather information, assess threat and risk, identify powers and policy, consider options and ethical implications, act, then review.
- Critical incidents include armed incidents, barricades, hostage situations, major collisions, deaths in custody, missing persons and public disorder.
- The Major Emergency Management framework involves the Garda Síochána, HSE and fire services as principal response agencies, with clear lead roles.
- Gold, Silver and Bronze command applies; the first member at scene may need to take temporary control until relieved.
- Record the decision, the information available and the rationale.
Worked example
A man is barricaded in a house with a suspected firearm. The first members contain the scene, evacuate neighbours, establish a cordon and request armed support and a negotiator. They do not enter without a plan. The Silver commander sets containment and communication tactics; the Bronze commander controls the cordon. The log records why entry was not attempted, what was known about the threat and when the situation was reviewed.
Traps
Do not rush to action because doing something feels better than waiting. Do not confuse your role with the commander's role. Do not omit the review stage. Do not record conclusions without the information and reasoning behind them. Do not ignore ethical or human rights considerations.