Systematic incident command training and organisational competence
International Journal of Emergency Services
ISSN: 2047-0894
Article publication date: 25 December 2020
Issue publication date: 21 June 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to determine if the application of a systematic command training system (Effective Command) could influence the organisational competency profile, through the identification, training and assessment of key behavioural markers.
Design/methodology/approach
The Effective Command framework is aligned to UK National Fire Service role-maps and is routinely used in both development and assessment of Fire Officers worldwide. Data from 1,261 formal assessments were analysed and descriptive statistics performed.
Findings
Structured analysis of incident command assessment data should inform subsequent training cycles of individuals, organisations and procedures. Key behavioural markers were identified in Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2) commanders which influence assessment outcomes. Reduced competence scores between L1 and L2 officers were recorded, providing a strong argument for a supported development process for L2 officers.
Practical implications
Six key behavioural markers were identified in L1 commanders, all were associated with information comprehension and evaluation, which ultimately impacted the outcomes of formal assessments. This study provides empirical evidence that frequent incident or scenario exposure, coupled with metacognitive understanding of the decision rationale could reverse these weaknesses and turn them into individual strengths. This in-depth analysis of data generated in individuals who pass or fail these assessments should strengthen organisational learning.
Originality/value
The use of a structured command training framework contributes significantly to operational assurance by providing a robust assessment and training methodology, which ensures that organisations can appoint, train and assess their incident commanders.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Paul Sloman for his technical assistance in the development of the Effective Command tools. The authors would also like to thank the following Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) for their use of the Effective Command Framework during their training and assessment programmes and for allowing their anonymised data to be included in this study. UK – Staffordshire FRS, Warwickshire FRS, County Durham and Darlington FRS, Northumberland FRS, Tyne and Wear FRS, Greater Manchester FRS, Leicestershire FRS, Shropshire FRS and Nottinghamshire FRS. International – Singapore Aviation Authority (SAA), Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (EASS), Dubai Mall, Escola de Nacional de Bombeiros (Portugal), Burlington Fire Department, Huntsville Fire Department (Canada) and Broadspectrum (Australia).
Citation
Lamb, K., Farrow, M., Olymbios, C., Launder, D. and Greatbatch, I. (2021), "Systematic incident command training and organisational competence", International Journal of Emergency Services, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 222-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJES-05-2020-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited