Toronto Fire Standard Operating Guideline PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE POST INCIDENT REVIEW Date Issued: April 15, 2021 Rescinds: March 29, 2019 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-PIRG PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for conducting an incident Post Incident Review (PIR) that anal...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE POST INCIDENT REVIEW Date Issued: April 15, 2021 Rescinds: March 29, 2019 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-PIRG PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for conducting an incident Post Incident Review (PIR) that analyzes actions in order to learn from the experience and improve performance within the on scene personnel. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel involved with the emergency incident are responsible for constructive participation in the PIR process. District Chiefs are responsible for organizing, coordinating and conducting an incident PIR to review the circumstances and actions at that particular event while under their command. This review should be used as a learning tool. GUIDELINES 1. General 1.1. PIRs should be conducted as soon as possible after the incident, depending on the incident and events at the time. The PIR may be conducted once equipment has been checked and apparatus returned to service. Depending on the circumstances of the incident it may be necessary to place all vehicles associated with the PIR on deferred response. Ideally the PIR should be conducted the next day (this allows time for reflection and removes the exhaustion factor) or at the latest the first shift of the next tour (should the fire have occurred on the last day/night of a tour). 1.2. PIRs shall be conducted after any incident or event that the Incident Commander feels the review would benefit the responding personnel. 2. Scope 2.1. Everyone participating in the PIR should understand the purpose is to improve performance. By identifying effective strategy and tactics for significant responses, learning experiences can be used as “stepping stones” toward a more efficient operation and enhanced training in the future. 2.2. All participants shall remain mindful of the purpose of a PIR and make every effort to remain objective and review the incident from an action/performance perspective. The critique should reinforce superior performance and leave personnel with a positive feeling. Constructive criticism should always be conducted with a positive attitude. File Code: G-PIRG Page 1 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 2.3. PIRs provide an excellent training opportunity for all personnel. By reviewing emergency incidents, personnel learn more about command decision-making that facilitates improved performance and career development. 3. Participants 3.1. Representation from support divisions and outside agencies could be considered by the Incident Commander organizing the PIR. There has to be a lesson learned to invite non-operations personnel. This could include, but not be limited to the following: a) Communication Centre Dispatcher. b) Fire Prevention Division Inspector(s) with knowledge of the address. c) Training and Technical Operations Division. d) Critical Incident Stress team member. 3.2. Personnel involved should be gathered and one large review conducted. Although in some instances this may not be possible, an effort should be made to involve all who attended the incident. 3.3. If it is impractical for all participants to be in one location, each fire station could hold their own review with the Incident Commander. Input from the Communication Centre Dispatcher could be included. This may be done by personal attendance or telephone. 4. Discussion 4.1. The purpose of the review is performance improvement. Everyone should know not to “second guess” others or find fault with actions. Any conjecture only confuses the issue and does not contribute towards the realization of the objective of the evaluation. Only verifiable facts should be analyzed at a PIR. 5. Points for Consideration 5.1. Re-construct the sequence of events in chronological order as they occurred during the incident. Try to account for vehicle placement, vehicle use, and actions of members. The following points should be considered when conducting an Incident PIR: a) How the alarm was received and dispatching procedures? b) Pre-arrival problems such as traffic, weather and vehicle breakdown? c) Initial radio report upon arrival as per Incident Management System procedures? d) Initial size up? e) Search and rescue; i. Initial procedures? ii. Control coordination with fire attack? f) Exposures? g) Ventilation? h) Salvage? File Code: G-PIRG Page 2 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE i) Confinement/extinguishment (utilizing offensive/defensive strategy). j) Overhaul? k) Communications overall effectiveness as per Incident Management System procedures? l) Water supply and hose deployment? m) Contents, hazardous materials present? n) Construction of building and fire loads? o) Injuries; circumstances that led to injuries? p) Pre-fire planning was adequate or required? q) Fire Safety Plan was used, adequate and available? r) Obstacles affecting performance? s) Fire protection systems, equipment devices effective or inadequate? t) Incident Management System; i. Strategy? ii. Tactics? iii. Tasks? u) Cause of the fire? v) Effective use of human and physical resources (including vehicles)? w) Other important factors affecting the outcome of the incident? x) Safety procedures? y) Effectiveness of existing Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies (SOGs & Ps)? z) Measures to improve performance at future incidents? 6. Lessons Learned 6.1. The PIR is an opportunity for the Incident Commander to review the event with the attending personnel to enable them to understand and improve performance. 6.2. The Incident PIR does not replace an After Action Review if one is deemed necessary. THE PIR IS TO BUILD A STRONGER TEAM. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS G-AAR After Action Review File Code: G-PIRG Page 3 of 3