A challenge new company officers will have to learn to apply fairly is how much _____ is legitimately assigned to the position and how to apply it in a fair and equitable manner.

• A. Authority
• B. Ethics
• C. Arrogance
• D. Competition

Answer: (A)

The main concept is understanding the amount of legitimate authority that comes with the fire officer role and how to use it fairly. Authority is the formal power to direct actions, enforce rules, and allocate resources within the limits set by rank, department policy, and the incident command system. A new company officer must know these boundaries and apply them so safety, discipline, and mission success are supported. Exercising authority fairly means applying rules consistently, explaining decisions when possible, and avoiding favoritism or bias. It also means using authority to protect crew safety and well-being, while not overstepping what is authorized or using power to coerce unnecessarily.

Ethics governs how decisions are made and the moral standards you follow, which is important but describes moral conduct rather than the amount of power you legitimately hold. Arrogance and competition don’t fit this concept of legitimate authority; arrogance erodes trust, and competition can undermine teamwork.