Choosing to Command: Crew Resource Management Applied to Emergency Operations

Choosing to Command: Crew Resource Management Applied to Emergency Operations

By: Dennis L. Rubin

The ability to make sound, timely decisions is critical in fire and emergency operations. Choosing to Command: Crew Resource Management Applied to Emergency Operations by Dennis L. Rubin examines the importance of integrating Crew Resource Management (CRM) into the Incident Command System (ICS) to improve firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and leadership effectiveness.

Building on practices developed in the aviation and military sectors, CRM is designed to minimize human error and enhance decision-making under high-pressure conditions. This book provides an in-depth discussion of the history, science, and practical applications of CRM in emergency response environments.

Key Topics Covered:

• The origins and development of Crew Resource Management
• Leadership and teamwork principles in emergency operations
• Effective communication strategies under stress
• Task allocation and resource management
• The impact of CRM in various operational contexts, including abandoned buildings, aviation fires, and large-scale incidents
• Strategies for enhancing incident command and safety protocols

Through real-world case studies and analysis, this book outlines methods for improving situational awareness, reducing operational risks, and fostering a culture of effective leadership in fire and emergency services.

This book is a valuable resource for fire officers, incident commanders, and emergency responders seeking to enhance their decision-making frameworks and improve overall operational outcomes.

*****
Table Of Content

Foreword

Acknowledgments

1.  Introduction

• Flashback Change Demonstration
• Change Comes to Critical Decision-Making
• Incident Action Plan
• Command Decision-Making Background
• Taking A Page from the Commercial Aviation Decision-Making Playbook
• CRM to the Rescue
• Introduction to CRM
• Change Is Difficult
• Our Challenge
• Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

2. The History of Crew Resource Management

• Seemed Like Just Another Day at the Office
• Fuel Quantity
• Impact and Effects of this Aviation Case
• Critical Learning Points
• CRM Discussion Questions

3. The Need for Crew Resource Management within Emergency Operations

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Fire Rescue Incident Command Progression
• Building Fire Case Study
• Building Fire Case Study Aftermath
• Building Fire Case Study Operational Alternatives
• Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

4. The Science Behind Crew Resource Management

• The Domino Theory
• Root Causes and Impacts of Accidents
• The Swiss Cheese Theory
• The Sterile Cockpit—Aviation Case Study
• Sterile Command Post
• The Disruptive Command Post—Pipeline Case Study
• Pipeline Case Study Operational Alternatives
• Get-home-itis Syndrome
• Get-home-itis Aviation Case Study—American Airlines Flight 1420
• Get-home-itis and Its Impact and Effects on Fire Rescue
• Operations
• Triad of Get-home-itis Fire Rescue Case Studies
• USAF Knock-It-Off Program
• Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

5. Teamwork and Leadership

• Teamwork and Leadership Aviation Case Study—Korean Air Cargo Flight 8509
• Catastrophic Explosion Case Study
• Explosives Case Study Operational Alternatives
• Incident Command Teams
• Duties of the Incident Commander
• Duties of Incident Safety Officer
• Duties of the Incident Accountability Officer
• Duties of the Deputy Incident Commander
• Command Team Staffing
• Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

6. Effective Communications Under Stress

• Ideal Communications Case Study
• On-Scene Operations
• Methods of Communicating
• Communications Order Model
• Command and Tactical Radio Use
• Brief Initial Reporting
• Incident Benchmarks
• Building or Area Personnel Evacuation Signal
• Assigned Radio Frequencies
• Summary and Critical Learning Points
• Communications Discussion Questions

7. Task Allocation

• A Really Bad Day in the Air
• Fireground Failure to Allocate Tasks
• The Lone Ranger Rides Solo
• Summary and Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

8. Critical Decision-Making

• An Aviation Application of CRM
• Historic Fire Rescue Service Decision Making
• NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty Report
• (Executive Summary Excerpt)
• Korean Air Cargo Flight 8509 Crash
• Eliminating Decision-Making Distractions
• Brief Initial Report
• Incident Action Plan
• Summary and Critical Learning Points
• Crew Resource Management Discussion Questions

9. Operating at Abandoned, Vacant, and Derelict Building Fires

• Building Shot in the Head
• Four Benchmark AVD Case Study Fires
• Path Forward to Better Manage AVD Building Fires
• Critical Learning Points
• Discussion Questions

10. The Power of After-Action Reporting

• AAR Reflection and Application
• The AAR Process
• Gathering AAR Data
• After-Action Report Process Guidelines
• Critical Learning Points
• Discussion Questions

11. Job Aid and Checklist

• The Research
• Command’s 10-Minute Checklist
• Expanded Mayday Checklists
• Brief Initial Report Checklist Review
• Structural Fire Operating Guideline Policy
• Firefighter Accountability
• Critical Learning Points
• Discussion Questions

12.  Precedence Setting Decisions in Aviation and Fire Operations Case Studies: Proof of the CRM Concept

• United Flight 173 (December 1978)
• Hackensack Ford Commercial Building Fire (July 1988)
• United Flight 232 (July 1989)
• Clipper Mill Warehouse Fire (September 1995)
• U.S. Air Flight 1549—The Miracle on the Hudson (January 2009)

Conclusion

Critical Learning Points

CRM Discussion Questions

Epilogue

Notes

Index

About the Author