1810 Ch 11 PowerPoint

1. Strategic and Tactical
Considerations on the Fireground
4th Edition
Chapter 11 — After the Incident

2. Learning Objectives
11.1 Recognize the signs and symptoms of incident
stress.
11.2 Recognize the benefit of both formal and
informal critiques.
11.3 Understand how to perform a self-critique.

3. Incident Critiques (1 of 2)
‣ Question to ask students:
‣ After a critique, what are the three components
of the final report?

4. Incident Critiques (2 of 2)
‣ Critiques of previous incidents are a basic way of
improving operation.
‣ A critique is meant as an honest review: assess
how well-run the incident was, identify problems,
and find solutions.
‣ In the past, negative critiques destroyed the
concept of sharing successes and failures.
‣ Critique: “a critical estimate or discussion”

5. Types of Critiques (1 of 4)
‣ Informal critique
‣ Used for a company or multiple companies.
‣ The aim is to review the actions taken and their
impact on the overall operation.
‣ It can take place at any location.

6. Types of Critiques (2 of 4)
‣ Formal critique
‣ Should be held after major emergencies or
significant events.
‣ A date should be selected as soon as possible,
taking into consideration the time needed to
gather technical information.
‣ Participants should be invited and required to
attend.
‣ Each area of the incident must be reviewed.

7. Types of Critiques (3 of 4)
‣ Highest ranking officer
‣ Purpose and anticipated benefits of the
critique
‣ Incident Commander
‣ Brief overview of the incident
‣ Positives and problems
‣ The environment must be encouraging so that
participants will be open and forthcoming.

8. Types of Critiques (4 of 4)
‣ Sequence of presentation (Dispatch, first-in
company, unit commanders, fire marshal)
‣ Recorder should take notes to prepare the final
report.
‣ Self-critique
‣ It is important for firefighters seeking self-
improvement.
‣ Firefighters should review the operations by
asking questions.

9. Individual Development (1 of 2)
‣ New recruits
‣ Review process allows them to correct mistakes
and develop good fireground habits.
‣ Officers
‣ Officers have to review their areas of
responsibility.
‣ Critical analysis

10. Individual Development (2 of 2)
‣ Exceptional effort must be recognized.
‣ Meaningful feedback
‣ Informal or formal discussion
‣ Mistakes and errors
‣ Proper way of performing the assignment

11. Final Report (1 of 3)
‣ Written report of the critique’s findings
‣ Should be shared.
‣ Can be divided into three sections.
‣ A narrative account
‣ Review of specific areas
‣ Lessons learned

12. Final Report (2 of 3)
‣ Review of specific areas may include:
‣ Vital statistics of the incident
‣ Addressing each area of assignment
‣ Communications
‣ Size-up
‣ Incident management system
‣ Strategy and tactics
‣ Medical assignments

13. Final Report (3 of 3)
‣ Safety
‣ Apparatus and equipment
‣ Resources
‣ Outside agencies

14. Critical Incident Stress (1 of 7)
‣ Question to ask students:
‣ If there is an incident in your fire department
that requires incident stress debriefing, would
your department have the resources and
training needed to accomplish it? Would
outside resources be needed? If outside
resources were needed, where would they
come from? How would they be requested?

15. Critical Incident Stress (2 of 7)
‣ As much as firefighting is physical, it is also one of
the most psychologically stressful jobs.
‣ The many emotional occurrences confronting
firefighters at incident scenes are a major source of
stress.
‣ Pondering the outcome of a not-completely-
successful operation

16. Critical Incident Stress (3 of 7)
‣ Individual critique can mislead firefighters into self-
blame and acceptance of full responsibility.
‣ False guilt over the injury or loss of fellow
firefighter
‣ Firefighters must express their feelings.
‣ Traumatic incidents that affect firefighters
psychologically have a direct impact on their
performance.

17. Critical Incident Stress (4 of 7)
‣ Incident Commanders
‣ They must be alert to the physical and
emotional needs of firefighters and monitor
firefighters for signs of stress.
‣ Note immediate stress indicators (shaking,
trembling, loss of coordination, etc.).
‣ Upon observing signs of undue stress, the
officer should remove the individual to a rehab
area.
‣ Follow recommended incident scene procedures.

18. Critical Incident Stress (5 of 7)
‣ Debriefing
‣ Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)
‣ Mental health professionals and peer counselors
are needed.
‣ This should occur as soon as possible.
‣ It must be strictly confidential.
‣ Follow-up should be done.
‣ CISD should be mandatory for certain
situations.

19. Critical Incident Stress (6 of 7)
‣ Delayed stress
‣ May show days or weeks after the incident.
‣ Firefighters who revisit a tragic event in dreams
or flashbacks should seek professional help.
‣ If not treated, posttraumatic disorder may
develop.
‣ Potential problems (upset stomach, insomnia,
irritability, headaches, etc.)

20. Critical Incident Stress (7 of 7)
‣ Taking care of our own
‣ No stigma should be attached to firefighters
seeking assistance to overcome emotional
feelings.
‣ It is the fire department’s responsibility to provide
debriefings and ongoing medical treatment.
‣ The fire department must have a plan in place
prior to an incident.
‣ Education
‣ Treatment