Which term describes guidelines that should be followed but are not mandatory?

• A. Rules and regulations (RARs)
• B. Orders and directives (OADs)
• C. Standard operating guidelines (SOGs)
• D. Government laws or ordinance (GLOs)

Answer: (C)

Guidelines that should be followed but are not mandatory are standard operating guidelines. SOGs are internal procedures developed by a fire department to standardize how tasks and responses are carried out, promoting safety, consistency, and efficiency across crews and units. They guide day-to-day actions and decision-making, providing a clear, agreed-upon approach for common situations. Because they aren’t laws or formal mandates, you’re expected to follow them, but they aren’t enforceable by external authorities in the same way as legal rules or ordinances. Leaders may approve deviations when necessary for safety or situational demands, but deviations should be justified and reviewed. In contrast, rules and regulations, orders and directives, and government laws are binding requirements. So the correct term for guidelines that should be followed but aren’t mandatory is standard operating guidelines.