1. What human factors problems did you identify in the case study? The first human factors problem I identify is the sparking electric night-light. It is the cause of the fire and thus it is definitely had the design problem from the aspect of human factor. Next is the design of installation of steel security bars at each and every window. Although the design of the steel security bars is to protect the residents of the house, it has a fatal disadvantage which is limited the escape action of the residents. The case study proposed a solution to it which is panic hardware. However, the house only installed one set of panic hardware and this indicated another human factor problem that occurred in setting up the security system of the house. Moreover, the one and only set of panic hardware in the house was required to be stomp harder for activation. This reflected poor human factor design of the panic hardware. Another human factors problem that I identify in the case study is the miscommunication between the 911 operator and the Fire Department dispatcher and also between the Fire Department dispatcher with the nearby fire station unit. Although the operator clarified the address was No.9 to the dispatcher, the 911 operator missed the word “avenue” as part of the address when the operator was informing the Fire Department dispatcher the location of the fire incident. Moreover, due to the miscommunication between them, the rescue actions had delayed more than four minutes. To make the situation worse, the dispatcher sent wrong address, 3100 block of 9th Street in his order to the nearby fire station for rescue action which should be 3102 block 9th Avenue. Besides the above problems, as written in the case study, the likene... ... middle of paper ... ...can prevent the occurrence of accident. In addition, the pressure needed to activate the set of panic hardware does not fit the emergency situation and the user too. It should be easier and faster in activation as it is designed for emergency escape plan. Last but not least, the city should put some effort in differentiate the street names to avoid the misunderstood or misinterpretation of the address which will cause latent failures. Works Cited Health and Safety Executive. (2014a). HF in accident investigations. Retrieved from http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/core2.pdf Health and Safety Executive. (2014b). Identifying human failures. Retrieved from http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/core3.pdf Health and Safety Executive. (2014c). Safety critical communications. Retrieved from http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/common3.pdf
The fire lasted only 12-14 minutes and killed 492 and injured 164, the reason for this is the building construction, occupancy, and interior design of the club. For better understanding the structure will be described in great detail.
71 percent of the people that were at The Station Nightclub Fire, which occurred in West Warwick Rhode Island on February 20, 2003, that either died or was injured. This paper will look at the contributing factors in this shocking number as it pertains to fire prevention. When breaking down a case study, this case being The Station Nightclub Fire, there are three main factors you must look at. Those factors are fire behavior, human behavior, and building behavior.
Any problems, questions or equipment issues should be addressed as well as established procedures that may need correction. Emergency responders should also be evaluated to ensure proper practice and procedures were followed and to address any further training that may be needed. Use of ICS should be a focus of the evaluation because of its importance in responding to incidents. Two common mistakes for emergency responders are failure to implement ICS and failure to fully understand the concept and its application (Phoenix Police Department, n.d., slide 17). Proper use of ICS must be used and fully understood in order to reap the benefits of having an efficient, flexible and standardized incident management plan; otherwise tasks and responsibilities are likely to be overlooked during a response to any incident especially those involving the high stress of a terrorist
In making the decisions to protect people’s lives from hazards and disasters, evacuations sometimes become necessary. Of course early in the reaction to the incident, or the response phase, this may become a decision for local and state emergency managers. The San Diego, California wildfire which occurred in October 2007 caused a large scale evacuation. This essay is an analysis, and identification of lessons learned from the evacuation incident. As well a plan of personal recommendations and improvements will be made based on information covered in the National Housing strategy, and Robert Stafford Act.
Fire safety education is a crucial aspect of fire prevention. The general public needs to know how big of a threat fire is to them and how they can do things in their everyday lives to improve their safety, as well as preventing the threat of fire to begin with. The commission also realized that it was critically important that people know how to properly act once a fire has started. It is important that people have the knowledge to act quickly, safely, and effectively. When people don’t understand fire they can react in many negative ways such as panicking, not evacuating effectively, or by trying to fight a fire that they are not going to be able to extinguish. All these human reactions can decrease safety and end with tragic results. In the commission’s report they approximate that nearly 70 percent of all building fires were due to people acting carelessly because they did not understand the fire dangers that were present. The commission cited studies like one conducted in southeast Missouri. In the southeast Missouri community, a huge emphasis was put into public fire safety education because the fire death rate of the community was much higher than the national average. After increasing fire safety education in the community it was no surprise that the rate of deaths and injuries decreased
Varone, J. C. (2012). Legal considerations for fire & emergency services (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.
For centuries, the men and women of the fire service have been pioneering new ways to “do more with less”. When faced with a predicament, these individuals use the resources available to them to find a suitable resolution. How will this be possible if those resources are not available?
Normally, when we call 9-1-1, the emergency responders would answer the phone. In the story, all circuits are busy, including the sheriff, highway patrol, and all emergency dispatch centers which are near the town. A recording tells the protagonist that “all operators are busy and his call will be answered by the first available” to display that all communication equipment around the town where the protagonist lives has been destroyed by a big catastrophe. Therefore, we can believe that there was an explosion nearby the protagonist's house due to the fact that all communication equipment has been destroyed for miles around.
Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (2010).Introduction to emergency management. (4th ed., pp. 1-26). Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Hazards pose risk to everyone. Our acceptance of the risks associated with hazards dictates where and how we live. As humans, we accept a certain amount of risk when choosing to live our daily lives. From time to time, a hazard becomes an emergent situation. Tornadoes in the Midwest, hurricanes along the Gulf Coast or earthquakes in California are all hazards that residents in those regions accept and live with. This paper will examine one hazard that caused a disaster requiring a response from emergency management personnel. Specifically, the hazard more closely examined here is an earthquake. With the recent twenty year anniversary covered by many media outlets, the January 17, 1994, Northridge, California earthquake to date is the most expensive earthquake in American history.
This research topic is originated from my experience in working in the fire service since nineteen ninety seven. In the last sixteen years I have moved up the ranks from probationary fire fighter to fire lieutenant. I am currently hold the rank of fire lieutenant. This topic is very important to me because one day at work I can be the Incident Commander on a incident, to the o...
""Why was 911 chosen as the emergency phone number?"." How Stuff Works. HowStuffWorks.com, 22 June 2001. Web. 28 Mar 2011. .
The Fire and Rescue Service employ a number of styles of communication to suit diverse audiences and for different purposes. The organization communicates with its members of staff differently depending on the circumstances and the message which is being conveyed. With such a large organization approximately 2200 members of staff effective communication is essential. Effective communication plays a vital role in the delivery of all Fire and Rescue Services.
The purpose of this essay is to reflect and critically study an incident from a clinical setting whilst using a model of reflection. This will allow me to analyse and make sense of the incident and draw conclusions relating to personal learning outcomes. The significance of critical analysis and critical incidents will briefly be discussed followed by the process of reflection using the chosen model. The incident will then be described and analysed and the people involved introduced. (The names of the people involved have been changed to protect their privacy) and then I will examine issues raised in light of the recent literature relating to the incident. My essay will include a discussion of communication, interpersonal skills used in the incident, and finally evidence based practice. I will conclude with explaining what I have learned from the experience and how it will change my future actions.
firefighters in action with a few conflicts that they would resolve, someone may die or get hurt