What is one of the main reasons to use "guiding publications" in firefighting?

Using "guiding publications" in firefighting is essential primarily to establish and adhere to industry standards, policies, and best practices. These publications provide crucial guidelines that ensure safety protocols are followed, minimization of hazards, and proper response techniques, which collectively contribute to effective firefighting and emergency response operations.

These documents often include legal standards and regulations that can help organizations mitigate the risk of litigation. By aligning practices with established guidelines, fire departments can demonstrate that they operate under accepted protocols, which can be critical during legal assessments following incidents.

In contrast, while staying informed about trends, maintaining equipment, and networking can be valuable, they are secondary to the primary purpose of promoting safety and legal compliance through the use of standardized publications.