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Solution - Fire & Rescue Debriefing
This debrief system is currently being used by Fire Services in the UK to collect information on incidents and to use it as a tool to improve operational performance. As it is developed using the Metastorm Business Process Management toolset, it has many advantages over ‘traditionally’ developed systems - the key one being flexibility. It is relatively easy to customise an application to reflect changing needs and this reduces the timescale of development and overall cost of delivery and support.

The system can be used to manage debriefs for Minor and Major incidents. Minor debriefs are started by any individual. The application allows anyone whose status is ‘watch’ or ‘officer’ to start the process. The first person to create the debrief selects whether it is critical or not. Once started, non critical debriefs will remain available for others who were involved in the incident to add their comments. Their comments are consolidated with the original debrief’s comments and documents. Major Debriefs are started by Control. A major debrief is defined as an incident where 4 or more pumping appliances attend (although major debriefs can be requested for any incident if required).

The contributors are selected from a list of all users of the system which can be filtered by station, and other configurable criteria. When the initial form is submitted each of the chosen contributors will receive an eMail with a link back to a set of forms they are required to complete to provide information for the debrief. Contributors are required to log in to the system before being able to complete the forms.

Contributors must respond within timescales set within the system; reminders are sent as the deadline for submission approaches. Even if a contributor has no significant information to provide the debrief must be returned before the process can complete. Contributors can be removed from the debrief by Control if required.

The debrief process is shown in the map below.

This is the Metastorm BPM map which is used to control the flow of the debrief folder. The design of the workflow means that the system can respond differently according to whether a debrief is Major or Minor, or if the debrief contains some safety critical information.

Contributors are requested to provide information relating to the following:

1. Command and Control
2. Operational Procedures
3. Equipment Use
4. Communications
5. Agency Liaison

Contributors are asked to enter details about incident tasks, what worked well and what didn’t work well, and comments and suggestions can be added.

Once completed an action is taken which to submit the folder to the debrief team, who are responsible for collating information into an Ops Report to be discussed at regular debrief meetings. The system automatically collates submitted information but some editing is desirable to consolidate the input from the contributors prior to producing the completed report.
At the end of the process the Head of Operations can decide whether or not the debrief should be published. Published debriefs have service wide implications and everyone must read the report with no exceptions, so the system monitors and records those who have read the report. When published an eMail is sent to individuals notifying them of publication and requesting that the report is read within 30 days. A reminder is sent after 20 days. The report is archived after 30 days.

Unpublished debriefs are archived and are available for reading.

AuraQ
Whitbourne Lodge, 137, Church Street, Malvern, WR14 2AN. +44 1684 571960