This presentation is designed to build and reinforce highly effective fire and emergency scene management skills. The approach is twofold. The first segment will look at the relevant science and data as they apply to incident management. Information from the FSRI studies, Firefighter Rescue Survey, along with a review of the Observe Orient Decide Act (OODA) Loop and Recognition Prime Decision (RPD) decision making models will be discussed. The second segment will focus on the nuance characteristics that make a competent incident commander. The transition from a tactical to a strategic mindset, the impact and importance of self-image, the realities of incident command, and the role and steps to build trust between the firefighting force and the incident commander will be discussed.