Resilience

Researchers seek UK incident commanders for emergency decision-making study

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Wildfire. Photo credit: Getty Images
Wildfire. Photo credit: Getty Images

Cardiff University and Robert Gordon University researchers from the Natural Hazard Research Australia ‘Enhancing decision-making in emergency management project’ are seeking multi-agency UK incident commanders to participate in the first phase of their research study.

Natural Hazards Research Australia is Australia’s national research centre for natural hazard resilience and disaster risk reduction. Prof Rhona Flin from Robert Gordon University and Dr Philip Butler from Cardiff University are conducting the UK arm of the project as part of an international research team led by A/Prof Chris Bearman and Dr Peter Hayes from Central Queensland University. 

The study seeks incident commanders from every work and shift pattern (including volunteers) working at all levels of command in ambulance, fire and rescue, and police services to provide input on current practices in operational decision-making. This research will aid in the understanding of how people currently make decisions, the tools they use, and the gaps in training and organisational doctrine on decision making. 

The study is split into two parts: 

Part 1 is an anonymous online survey to provide a snapshot of current decision-making practice in incident command. 

Part 2 is an in-depth interview to further understanding of key issues such as:

  • How practitioners learn and develop their operational decision-making skills
  • Possible gaps in decision-making training
  • Use of decision-making tools and frameworks
  • Challenges and opportunities to improve operational decision-making.

This project aims to gain a perspective on operational decision making of UK incident commanders. This will contribute toward an analysis of the current practice and future requirements of such decision-making.

The online survey and interview will remain open until the end of April 2024. 

The Centre encourages UK emergency service incident commanders to participate in this study. To take part in this research, click here.

This project has the written support of the National Fire Chiefs Council, National Police Chiefs Council, and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

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