In solving problems or making decisions, what is the first step a company officer should take?

• A. Identify a problem that requires a response
• B. Identify their strengths and weaknesses
• C. Determine the steps needed to meet the selected goals and outcomes
• D. Determine the effectiveness of the activities in meeting goals and outcomes

Answer: (A)

Identifying the problem that requires a response is the starting point because it defines what you’re trying to solve and sets the scope for everything that follows. When you clearly state the issue, you know what information you must gather, what constraints exist, and what a successful outcome looks like. This upfront clarity prevents misdiagnosis, wasted effort, and unnecessary actions, especially in a fire service setting where decisions must be timely and focused.

From there, you move into gathering information, considering options, selecting a course of action, implementing it, and then evaluating results. The other steps—looking at strengths and weaknesses, planning the steps to reach goals, or assessing effectiveness after actions—occur later in the process. So starting with a clear problem definition is the best first step.