What does freelancing refer to in firefighting?

Freelancing in firefighting refers to the practice of individuals or crews operating independently without coordinating with the rest of their team or command structure. This behavior can lead to safety hazards and complications during operations, as it undermines the strategic intent and tactics developed by incident commanders. The term emphasizes that while firefighters might be well-trained, acting autonomously can disrupt the effectiveness of the firefighting efforts and compromise overall safety at an incident scene.

In contrast, working collaboratively fosters teamwork and effective communication, while following group commands ensures that everyone is on the same page during operations. Participating in training exercises, although crucial for skill development, does not directly relate to the concept of freelancing in the context of active firefighting operations.