What does the term 'High/Calculated Risk' imply in incident operations?

• A. It implies taking risks with no potential for life safety.
• B. It implies taking risks when there is a potential to save lives.
• C. It implies avoiding any risk at all costs.
• D. It implies relying on risk assessments from other agencies.

Answer: (B)

High/Calculated Risk means consciously taking on danger in order to achieve a life-saving outcome, but only after a deliberate assessment and with solid mitigation measures in place. It reflects that some risk to responders is acceptable when there is a reasonable chance to save lives, and actions are planned, controlled, and time-limited with safety safeguards, a clear plan, and appropriate back-up. This isn’t about risking without any potential for saving lives, nor about avoiding all risk, nor about outsourcing risk decisions to another agency.