Post Incident Analysis
Post-incident analysis is a reconstruction of the incident to establish a clear picture of events that took place during the emergency. It is conducted to:
• Assure that the incident has been properly documented and reported.
• Determine the level of financial responsibility.
• Establish a clear picture of the emergency response for further study.
• Provide a foundation for the development of formal investigations, which are usually conducted to establish the probable cause of the accident for administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.
There are many agencies and individuals that have a legitimate need for information about any significant hazardous materials incident. They may include manufacturing and shipping company representatives, insurance companies, government agencies, and citizens groups. A formal post incident analysis is one method for coordinating the release of factual information to these agencies.
The post incident analysis begins with the designation of one person (or agency) to collect information about the response. This person is usually appointed during the on-scene debriefing. The post incident analysis coordinator should have the authority to determine who will have access to information. This method guarantees that sensitive information is not released to the wrong organization or in an untimely manner. The Post Incident Analysis should focus on six key topics:
• Command and control. Did the first trained responder to arrive on scene establish the incident command system? Was the emergency response organized according to the existing emergency-response plan procedures? Did information pass from sector personnel to the incident commander through appropriate channels? Were response objectives communicated effectively to field personnel who were expected to implement them?
• Tactical operations. Did the on-scene incident commander effective order tactical operations? Did the emergency teams implement these orders? What worked? What didn't? Were tactical operations conducted in a timely and coordinated fashion? Do revisions need to be made to tactical procedures? Do tactical work sheets need to be developed or modified?
• Resources. Were human and material resources adequate to conduct the response effectively? Are improvements needed to equipment or facilities? Were mutual aid agreements implemented effectively?
• Support services. Were support services adequate and provided in a timely manner? What is needed to increase the provision of support to a necessary level?
• Plans and procedures. Was the emergency response plan and associated tactical procedures current? Did they adequately cover notification, assessment, response, recovery, and termination? Were roles and assignments clearly defined? How will plans and procedures be upgraded to reflect successful and unsuccessful aspects of the emergency response?
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Post-incident analysis is a reconstruction of the incident to establish a clear picture of events that took place during the emergency. It is conducted to:
• Assure that the incident has been properly documented and reported.
• Determine the level of financial responsibility.
• Establish a clear picture of the emergency response for further study.
• Provide a foundation for the development of formal investigations, which are usually conducted to establish the probable cause of the accident for administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.
There are many agencies and individuals that have a legitimate need for information about any significant hazardous materials incident. They may include manufacturing and shipping company representatives, insurance companies, government agencies, and citizens groups. A formal post incident analysis is one method for coordinating the release of factual information to these agencies.
The post incident analysis begins with the designation of one person (or agency) to collect information about the response. This person is usually appointed during the on-scene debriefing. The post incident analysis coordinator should have the authority to determine who will have access to information. This method guarantees that sensitive information is not released to the wrong organization or in an untimely manner. The Post Incident Analysis should focus on six key topics:
• Command and control. Did the first trained responder to arrive on scene establish the incident command system? Was the emergency response organized according to the existing emergency-response plan procedures? Did information pass from sector personnel to the incident commander through appropriate channels? Were response objectives communicated effectively to field personnel who were expected to implement them?
• Tactical operations. Did the on-scene incident commander effective order tactical operations? Did the emergency teams implement these orders? What worked? What didn't? Were tactical operations conducted in a timely and coordinated fashion? Do revisions need to be made to tactical procedures? Do tactical work sheets need to be developed or modified?
• Resources. Were human and material resources adequate to conduct the response effectively? Are improvements needed to equipment or facilities? Were mutual aid agreements implemented effectively?
• Support services. Were support services adequate and provided in a timely manner? What is needed to increase the provision of support to a necessary level?
• Plans and procedures. Was the emergency response plan and associated tactical procedures current? Did they adequately cover notification, assessment, response, recovery, and termination? Were roles and assignments clearly defined? How will plans and procedures be upgraded to reflect successful and unsuccessful aspects of the emergency response?
