For the division of labor principle to be effective:

• A. All positions within the organization must be clearly defined
• B. All resources must be of the same type
• C. It must be practiced with decentralized authority
• D. The span of control must be reduced

Answer: (A)

Division of labor works best when each position has clearly defined duties, authority, and interfaces with others. When roles are clearly described, people can specialize on specific tasks, which boosts efficiency and reduces confusion or duplication. It also makes accountability straightforward—everyone knows who is responsible for what and who to report to during operations. In a fire department context, this clarity means each role—such as incident command, hose line management, search and rescue, or equipment handling—has defined tasks and boundaries, enabling rapid, coordinated action under pressure. Other factors like how authority is distributed or the variety of resources matter for overall performance, but precise definition of each position is what makes the division of labor truly effective.