lol
firstly smallflame, i know all about what you are saying, and in my brigade there are a number of FFs that are better suited to our SFF positions, but of course when it comes down to it, everything is a popularity contest
Uniden - no i am not, i am a FF and have been in charge of appliances many times, what i was stating was that if a FF is in charge, then from my experience it usually means brigades are running a bit short crewed, this was why i was stating the fact that it is always worth considering whether the crew is adequate for the job.
Also, what would be more difficult to explain to the coroner?
That you didnt respond because of an inadequate crew? or that a member of the public or a firefighter is dead because of an inadequate crew trying to "do the best they could"?
just my $0.02 anyway, i wouldnt hesitate to respond with a firie in charge if they had sufficient backup in the form of there crew.