When possible, how should firefighters be assigned to rehabilitation?

Assigning firefighters to rehabilitation as whole companies is beneficial because it ensures that team cohesion is maintained, which is crucial in emergency situations. When firefighters work as a unit, they can better support each other and communicate about their physical and mental states, which enhances overall situational awareness and readiness when it's time to return to duty. This approach also facilitates the assessment of the entire group’s well-being and can streamline the rehabilitation process.

When firefighters are sent as individual members or in small groups, it can disrupt team dynamics and may lead to incomplete information being shared among team members about their health. If a few individuals leave to rehabilitate while others remain, it may create confusion regarding operational readiness, and it can be challenging to monitor the recovery of the entire team effectively. Therefore, assigning entire companies to rehabilitation not only helps maintain unit integrity but also promotes safety and encourages firefighters to support one another during recovery.