How can you conduct effective incident briefings and debriefings using the Incident Command System?

1 What are incident briefings and debriefings?

Incident briefings are meetings that provide information and direction to incident personnel at the beginning or during an incident. They can be formal or informal, depending on the size, complexity, and phase of the incident. Incident debriefings are meetings that review and analyze the incident performance, outcomes, and lessons learned after the incident is over or a significant change occurs. They can be individual or group, depending on the objectives and participants.

2 Why are incident briefings and debriefings important?

Incident briefings and debriefings are important for several reasons. First, they ensure that incident personnel have a clear and common understanding of the incident objectives, strategies, tactics, resources, and risks. Second, they foster collaboration and coordination among incident personnel, especially across different agencies, disciplines, and jurisdictions. Third, they provide feedback and recognition to incident personnel, as well as identify areas for improvement and learning.

3 How to plan incident briefings and debriefings?

When planning incident briefings and debriefings, you need to take into account the purpose, audience, format, content, and timing. What is the main goal or outcome of the briefing or debriefing? Who are the intended participants and recipients? What is the most appropriate and effective format? What is the most relevant and essential information to include? When is the best time to conduct the briefing or debriefing? Is it at a regular or an ad hoc interval? All these factors should be considered when planning incident briefings and debriefings.

4 How to prepare incident briefings and debriefings?

To effectively prepare incident briefings and debriefings, you need to gather and verify reliable and accurate information from sources such as incident reports, logs, maps, charts, or photos. Make sure to check for consistency and completeness of the information, and update it as needed. Additionally, organize and prioritize the information using a logical and clear structure, such as the ICS 201 form for incident briefings or the After Action Review (AAR) model for incident debriefings. When delivering and documenting the information, use appropriate methods such as verbal, written, or visual. Make sure to use clear and concise language with an active and respectful tone. Finally, record and distribute the information as required.

5 How to participate in incident briefings and debriefings?

To participate in incident briefings and debriefings, it is important to be prepared by reviewing the agenda and objectives of the meeting. Additionally, you should bring any relevant materials or questions and arrive on time and stay focused. During the briefing or debriefing, listen carefully and attentively to the information and instructions, taking notes if needed. It is also important to respect the roles and responsibilities of the incident personnel, acknowledge their contributions and challenges, and provide constructive and honest feedback. It is best to avoid blaming or criticizing.

6 How to improve incident briefings and debriefings?

To improve incident briefings and debriefings, you need to seek and apply feedback from the incident personnel and stakeholders. You can use various tools and techniques, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations. You can also use the ICS 225 form for incident briefing and debriefing evaluation. You should aim to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the briefings and debriefings, as well as the opportunities and threats for improvement. You should also implement and monitor the improvement actions and measure their impact and effectiveness.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?