Rescue / Home Office, Scottish Home Department.

  • Home Office
Date:
1960
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rescue / Home Office, Scottish Home Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 else know what he wants, and what are the basic fundaments of his rescue plan. He must at all times give firm guidance and a clear lead. Examples of the briefing a rescue officer might receive and of the orders he might give are contained in Appendices F and G respectively. Having made known his plan, and issued his order to put this into operation, he must place complete trust in his subordinates and must give them freedom to carry out their part within the framework of his plan. He must trust them to use their own initiative on matters of detail. Importance of morale If the unit under the officer’s command is to be successful in its work, the morale of the men must be maintained. A high morale is based on discipline, self-respect and the confidence of the men in their com- manders. There is no book of rules which will help a commander to gain the complete trust and confidence of his men. Each commander will adopt his own methods and the ones best suited to his own personality. He will ensure that he is personally known to those under his command, thus helping to build up the team-work of his unit which is so necessary to success. There must be no seeking of popularity or relaxing of discipline—both are fatal and quite unnecessary—but the officer must be efficient at his job. Unless he is efficient his men will not have confi- dence in him nor respect him. Whenever possible the reasons for par- ticular orders should be explained to the men. Relationship with party leaders It is important that there should be a proper relationship between junior officers of the Rescue Section and their party leaders. The party leader is the man who should not only see to the carrying out of his com- mander’s orders, and his wishes, but should also act as a kind of inter- preter between the officer and his men. Being nearer to the men than his officer, he is able both to tell the men about him and to tell the officer about his men. The value of a good and loyal party leader is beyond price and a platoon officer should do all he can to foster and deserve the loyalty of his party leaders. Personal example Officers and rescue party leaders should at all times conduct themselves in such a way as to be an example to their men. This is especially important in rescue work which usually requires considerable self- confidence and personal courage on the part of officers, leaders and men. By his coolness and perseverance in circumstances of difficulty and danger, an officer or leader can do much to give heart and courage to his men. An officer or leader who is easily demoralised, or who is unable to cope adequately with the task in hand, is a source of weakness to the section even though his technical knowledge may be sound and exten- sive. Officers and leaders must set an example of courage, fortitude and resolution, and so promote and maintain among their men an atmos- phere of enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty. -