LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF RESCUE OPERATION COMMANDERS IN THE CONTEXT OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES – SURVEY RESEARCH

<ns3:p>The implementation of tasks within crisis management structures requires solid substantivepreparation and extensive competencies. The introduction presents the crisis management processrelated to a crisis situation that may lead to a crisis. Research has been cited indicating that one of thefactors influencing the effectiveness of tasks performed by those managing crisis managementstructures is interpersonal competencies related to character traits and acquired duringtraining.The article presents an extensive analysis of literature on crisis management and crisis response. Italso includes the authors’ observations and experiences. The empirical research was preceded bynumerous interviews and conversations with the management of the State Fire Service in the contextof crisis management activities.The study involved 106 people, including officers of the State Fire Service (SFS) and representativesof other services responsible for responding to crisis situations. A proprietary questionnaire covering17 psychological and behavioural traits was used for the measurement. Intergroup differences andinternal correlations were analysed using nonparametric tests, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient,and exploratory factor analysis. The results of the study confirm that the effectiveness of rescueoperations management depends on the balance between the cognitive-intellectual and moralvolitionaldimensions of leadership. SFS officers scored higher in terms of decisiveness, self-control,and responsibility compared to the control group. The conclusions indicate the need for the systematicinclusion of leadership competence assessment in the process of education and professionaldevelopment of the management staff of the State Fire Service and other entities performing tasks inthe crisis management system.</ns3:p>