Birger Lennmalm Brand & Riskteknik AB have commissioned the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) to participate in a BRANDFORSK /fire research/ project named "Framing of the applications engineering of emergency services for industrial objects" (no 419-924). FOI has undertaken to participate with behavioural competence about:- Studies and illustration of the importance of visual variables for the design and adaptation of the applications engineering of emergency services to our impaired capacity to obtain, treat and interpret information and make decisions and act under stress.- Mapping of the importance of methodology, practical and theoretical training for the acquisition of knowledge for the actual service where the contents and functional meaning of the applications engineering are accounted for. The importance of visual variables is being discussed from nine current rescue services. A comparison shows that signs and symbols are very different regarding size, typography, and contrast. The result is given as a general aspect with comments and examples. Uniform standards must be considered due to the difficulty to treat information under stress. Homogeneous design based on the rescuing situation and cognitive analysis is recommended.