Training for emergency management: tactical decision games

Margaret Crichton, Rhona Flin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Training of the non-technical skills that are crucial to effective management of emergency situations is an issue that is currently receiving increasing emphasis in the petrochemical sector. A case study is presented of the explosion and fires at the Texaco Refinery, Milford Haven, UK, which occurred in July 1994 (HSE, The explosion and fires at the Texaco Refinery, Milford Haven, 24 July 1994. HSE: London, 1997), with particular focus on the human factors aspects of the event. A key issue identified by the official report into this incident was the importance of emergency management training. This paper outlines a novel, low-fidelity training intervention, the tactical decision game (TDG), which is designed to enhance the non-technical skills (decision making, situation awareness, communication and co-ordination, teamwork, and stress management) required for emergency management. It is proposed that enhanced learning of these non-technical skills, through experience and directed practice following repeated exposure to TDGs, will lead to more efficient emergency management, particularly when dealing with hazardous materials. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-266
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
Volume88
Issue number2-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • human factors
  • training
  • emergency management
  • non-technical skills
  • decision making

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