INTEGRATING HUMAN FACTORS INTO INCIDENT COMMAND Emotional Intelligence and Beyond Eric J. McNulty, M.A. emcnulty@hsph.harvard.edu www.npli.sph.harvard.edu

1. © 2016, The President and Fellows of Harvard University
INTEGRATING HUMAN FACTORS
INTO INCIDENT COMMAND
Emotional Intelligence and Beyond
Eric J. McNulty, M.A.
emcnulty@hsph.harvard.edu
www.npli.sph.harvard.edu

2. INCIDENT COMMAND

3. INCIDENT COMMAND:
NIMS/ICS
- Structure amidst Chaos
- Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities
- Consistency across Jurisdictions and Individuals
- Focused Training
but…
It makes the assumption of rational thinking
and decision making

4. THE BRAIN: NOT WHAT YOU
WERE LED TO BELIEVE
Less rational
than you
think Less
conscious,
too

5. INCIDENT COMMAND SURVEY
- N = 198
- 88% use NIMS/ICS or
modification thereof
- 52% trained w/in
past 24 mos.
- 44% trained 24-60
mos. ago

6. Do you recall if your ICS
training included any
material related to the
psychology or personal
behavior of leaders?

7. THE HUMAN FACTORS
Have you observed improvements to ICS function during an incident resulting from any of the following human behaviors? (Please
select Yes, No, or Not Sure for each item)
Answer Options Yes No Not Sure Rating Average
Response
Count
Calm/Intentionally moderating stress in self and others 166 10 17 1.23 193
Confidence 170 9 15 1.20 194
Maintaining a balanced disposition 161 10 22 1.28 193
Ego control/mission-oriented behavior 134 28 32 1.47 194
Appropriate balance of “big picture” and detail focus 149 20 24 1.35 193
Evidence-based decision making 140 20 33 1.45 193
Deliberate decision making 150 18 24 1.34 192
Clear and accurate communication 162 14 18 1.26 194
Ensuring adherence to ICS processes and protocols 133 27 32 1.47 192
Ability to adjust activities to changing circumstances 164 8 22 1.27 194
Adaptive capacity to understand the realistic
parameters of an evolving situation
148 18 28 1.38 194
Other (please specify) 10
answered question 194
skipped question 4

8. THE HUMAN FACTORS
Have you observed sub-optimal ICS function during an incident resulting from any of the following human behaviors? (Please select
Yes, No, or Not Sure for each item)
Answer Options Yes No Not Sure Rating Average
Response
Count
Panic 108 71 16 1.53 195
Fear 110 64 21 1.54 195
Temper 151 29 15 1.30 195
Ego-driven behavior 169 13 13 1.20 195
Obsession with details (i.e., “getting stuck in the
weeds”)
166 20 9 1.19 195
Inability to make a decision 146 30 19 1.35 195
Rush to make a decision 147 33 15 1.32 195
Failure to communicate clearly 171 15 9 1.17 195
Failure to adhere to ICS processes and protocols 140 33 22 1.39 195
Adherence to set plans even when the situation
deviates from the assumptions in the plan
121 45 29 1.53 195
Inability to accept situational changes as real 130 46 19 1.43 195
Other (please specify) 7
answered question 195
skipped question 3

9. How helpful do you think training in human behavior
would be to the function of ICS in an actual incident?

10. OUR MODEST PROPOSAL
Incorporate behavioral elements in leadership
development and training

11. THE DIMENSIONS
OF META-LEADERSHIP
The
Situation Lead Down
Lead Up
Lead Across The Person Lead Beyond
Connectivity
“How can I make you a success?”

12. QUESTIONS

13. © 2016, The President and Fellows of Harvard University
INTEGRATING HUMAN FACTORS
INTO INCIDENT COMMAND
Emotional Intelligence and Beyond
Eric J. McNulty, M.A.
emcnulty@hsph.harvard.edu
www.npli.sph.harvard.edu