Having just taken Integrated Crew Source Management, I can tell you “they” are stressing the use of all on-scene personnel, regardless of the number of years of experience one might have behind them. Although, like most things in the Fire Service/EMS, progress is often tempered/hampered by tradition, there is an effort (at least the theory is being promoted) to utilize crews to their fullest potential. So if an IC or chief line office is truly progressive, they will seek the advice (when and where appropriate) of the “newest” member of the team, who hopefully still has all those “new” techniques still in the short term memory banks and can recall them at will. However, the newest and greatest techniques must be balanced with real world experiences and the need to make rapid and decisive decisions. The fire/accident/rescue scene is not necessarily the place to start discussing them, which is why we take continuing education and conduct training drills, this is the place to explore and experiment with new ideas and techniques. Having been in both situations, both as the IC/Operations officer and as a lower man on the totem pole, I can tell you I prefer a leader who will make a decision right or wrong, but will seek the advice of others as the scene unfolds and make adjustments to accommodate either changing conditions or recognizes the original plan was not the best course of action. Personally, as a Paramedic, I or my partner are often the ones who are “in charge” of the patient or the EMS aspect of the scene, I prefer it, when the BLS crew takes the initiative to implement those aspects of patient care that they are responsible for, instead of waiting for me to tell them what to do. Often my mind is directed towards assimilating all of the information (nature of the call, patient condition, history, vital signs, resources, etc.) to decide upon a course of action and do so within the first few minutes of the call. Being in charge is not easy, often one must act upon experience and gut instinct, which hopefully is based upon extensive education and training. The bottom line – it is a TEAM effort that will lead to the best outcome. Pete