The typical purposes of using simulations for validating SOG’s are (a) to ensure that your policies are practical and consistent, and (b) you have demonstrated evidence that your personnel can apply them properly.
Every fire department is expected to have written operating policies, procedures and fire ground operation protocols. However,
Benefits
Examples of SOPs/SOGs you can enhance with simulations
SimsUshare can be an effective tool to validate and/or test operational SOPs/SOG’s for several of the following reasons:
Example Procedure
Organizations may create specific simulations or utilize “standard” simulations. Depending on the SOG/SOP being validated, the simulation can be managed in a format that drives the specific causal situation needed for validation/testing. As well, participants may enact specific communications to provoke the intended SOG/SOP.
Upon completion of the simulation, all participants can immediately review and discuss the effectiveness or lack thereof of the intended SOP/SOG. The actions and communications of the IC and participants can be evaluated for compliance with the SOG/SOP immediately following the simulation.
A good idea to have the people making the training be distinct from those evaluating the candidates, to reduce potential bias or vagueness in the evaluation. If possible, have a formal train-the-trainer program to give your evaluators specific instructions and guidance, and even evaluate their performance on mock examples.
Example. Developing sims around a specific SOP or related SOP’s, e.g., Initial Operations, which typically have distinct segments such as initial size-up & radio report; Condition-Actions-Needs reports; Strategic shifts; Follow-up report, Command transfers; and assigning units by Task, Location, and Objective
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