The problem was that the officers of the Iowa City Fire Department were not trained to make rapid tactical decisions during stressful emergency operations. The purpose of the research was to determine what methodologies should be used to train Iowa City Fire Department officers to make rapid tactical decisions under stress.This research used the descriptive method to answer five research questions: (a) What models exist for rapid tactical decision making under stress? (b) What models for making rapid tactical decisions under stress are promoted by military ground combat technicians? (c) What barriers exist to inhibit sound tactical decision making under stress? (d) What similarities exist between rapid tactical decision making in combat and rapid tactical decision making on the fire ground? and (e) What models or methods should be used by the Iowa City Fire Department to train officers in making rapid tactical decisions under stress? A survey instrument was used to gather information about rapid tactical decision making under stress in the ICFD. Interviews with two experts were conducted to answer the research questions.Significant findings of the research were that different models for decision making under stress exist; some are suitable for high-tempo decision making under duress while others are not. Further, pertinent skills are based on the development of adaptive expertise and can be taught and cultivated. Recommendations produced by the research included teaching and adoption of Boyd's O-O-D-A Loop, providing training on Recognition Primed Decision Making and the changes in neurological function when subjected to stress and focusing training opportunities on realistic, scenario-based evolutions that are augmented by group post-performance decision making critiques.