Recording Decisions at Incidents (PN 828)

Question 1

In what 2 circumstances does the note state that it may be particularly important to record decisions and the rationale behind them?

Answer 1

1) Deviation from Standard Operating Procedures

2) Where a public inquiry or inquest is anticipated

Question 2

What is this the definition of?

‘A means of documenting decisions made at an incident, with reference to the rationale behind why the decisions were made…..’

Answer 2

Decision Logging

Question 3

What is this the definition of?

‘A decision or course of action which either amends or changes current operational procedure’

Answer 3

Key Decision

Question 4

What does CSS stand for?

Answer 4

Command
Support
System

Question 5

Automated records include IMS, which is the Incident Management System, and BOSS. What does BOSS stand for?

Answer 5

Browser of System Status

Question 6

What are the 4 types of Records listed in the note?

Answer 6

1) Automated/system based records
2) Statements
3) Contemporaneous Notes
4) Decision Logs

Question 7

Who may support the completion of statements? (2)

Answer 7

FIT

The Police

Question 8

Contemporaneous Notes should record the sequence of events, be factual and include relevant details which might be forgotten over time. They should be made as soon as practical and within a maximum of how many hours?

Answer 8

24

Question 9

There are 2 circumstances when a Decision Log must be made, what are they?

Answer 9

1) A decision is made that ‘has a major impact on members of the public or other services’
2) When using operational discretion because adherence to normal procedure ‘would either risk the loss of a savable life or create a delay that would increase risk to Firefighters’

Question 10

What does KDL stand for?

Answer 10

Key Decision Log

Question 11

What is a F6182 form?

Answer 11

A Key Decision Log form carried on all appliances. These are kept at station for 3 years and a copy is sent to ‘Brigade Operations, P and R Dept, HQ

Question 12

When considering decision logging a clear distinction should be made between what 2 types of situation?

Answer 12

A) A decision that does not create additional risk (within policy) but that impacts the public or other services.
B) Decisions not covered by procedure (operational discretion.

Question 13

There are 8 things listed to include in a KDL where policy is followed but the actions will be high impact:

1) Decision number
2) Time Entered
3) Time action was taken
4) Name and Role of decision maker
5) Location of actions taken
6) Proposed Action
7) The rationale
8) The anticipated impact

What 5 other items are listed that need to be included following Operational Discretion?

Answer 13

1) What are the benefits (rather than impact)
2) Associated Hazards and Risks
3) Additional control measures
4) Overall risk ranking (see matrix)
5) Confirmation that IC informed and agreed

Question 14

If in doubt regarding the type of record required the default position is what?

Answer 14

Complete a KDL as soon as reasonably possible

Question 15

To assist who could an IC consider appointing?

Answer 15

A Loggist

Question 16

Decisions should be recorded in which 3 places?

Answer 16

1) KDL pad
2) The CU decision log on CSS
3) KDL on CSS

Question 17

Is a risk ranking matrix always completed when a KDL is completed?

Answer 17

YES

Question 18

What 3 methods of support does the fire service use for managing risk?

Answer 18

Generic Risk Assessments - National
Strategic Risk Assessments - Local
Incident Risk Assessments - completed by the IC

Question 19

Can anyone else make a key decision?

Answer 19

Yes a sector commander or operations commander but the IC must be kept informed.

Question 20

If a decision is not to be taken does this need to be recorded on a KDL?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

Risk to personnel needs to be kept as low as possible so any deviation from policy should be what?

Answer 21

The MINIMUM required to achieve the objective