Training Pathways for Effective Emergency Management Coordination above the IMT

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BushfireTopic: 
Fire Management
Risk Management
TitleTraining Pathways for Effective Emergency Management Coordination above the IMT
Publication TypeReport
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsBrooks, B, Owen, C
AbstractThis report is a response to the question: “How might we best train and educate personnel in the most effective emergency management coordination above the IMT?” This question is considered by examining the human factors literature in this area, current formal and informal training pathways and considering them in the context of the types of skills and knowledge recognised as relevant to emergency management coordination. In making this assessment it is clear that we need to acknowledge the improvements in contextual learning, human factors and leadership education that have already occurred within the industry, and use these as opportunities to also enhance the development of those in senior coordination/leadership positions. It is also necessary to acknowledge that the solutions to any gaps in this area have already been identified via reports from the Bushfire CRC, AFAC and other organisations. From this perspective the necessary training pathways are known and the materials needed to build the training initiatives are largely available. Given that the pathways are known, an initial reaction may be to presume that there has been a lack of opportunity, resources or political will (or any combination of these) to move in this direction. However, experience with other industries such as aviation, rail, healthcare or maritime transport suggests that training development in this area is very much a journey. This journey is marked by a progressive maturing of the industry’s own understanding of the value of this type of training, and that understanding only tends to occur when people see positive results from the training in the operational domain. These results take time, and explain the long term approach needed to reach a significant level of maturity in this area. Emergency management agencies are, in relative terms, at the early stages of this journey.