You’ve kinda just imposed your own definition of democracy there chief. Its not necessarily incorrect, but its another problem with such a comprehensive generalisation. Are all definitions of democracy always preferable? Which definition of democracy is always preferable?

Regardless, thats not really my point.

I disagree that democratically listening to the advice of the firey is the preferable form of governance when your home is burning down. There are loads of reasons why people in a burning house may not be able to make sound judgements. Its precisely the type of emergency where an authoritarian crisis manager, the firey, should be calling the shots.