What does the principle of unity of command state regarding supervisor relationships?

The principle of unity of command is a fundamental concept in organizational structure, particularly in the context of emergency services like fire departments. This principle asserts that each subordinate must have only one supervisor. This means that every employee reports to a single person, ensuring clarity in command and communication. This structure helps to prevent confusion and conflict that might arise from having multiple supervisors providing different directions or instructions to the same subordinate.

Having a single supervisor creates clearly defined roles and responsibilities, which enhances accountability and ensures that decisions are made efficiently. When subordinates know exactly who is in charge of them, it simplifies the chain of command and allows for more effective delegation of tasks. Additionally, this approach reduces the likelihood of mixed messages that could result from overlapping orders or conflicting priorities from different supervisors.

The other options do not align with the principle of unity of command and would likely create more complications in a supervisory structure, undermining the effectiveness of communication and operational efficiency.