The Effects of a Scientifically Based Team Resource Management Intervention for Fire Service Teams

Team resource management training for fire service teams has become increasingly popular. However, the effectiveness of this training, adapted from the well-established crew resource management training for flight crews, has not yet been evaluated for this audience. Ninety-one firefighters participated in a Team Resource Management seminar (experimental and control group) and in platoon leader training for conducting After Action Reviews (experimental group only). The intervention was evaluated, and its impact on knowledge acquisition, attitude, and behavioural changes at three different measurement times was assessed. The seminar was perceived as enjoyable and useful and participants stated an increase in knowledge, which was supported by an objective knowledge test assessment. Both the knowledge increase and three positively changed attitudes remained stable over the following seven months. Positive behavioural changes toward Team Resource Management were found in the experimental group only. Overall, the intervention proved to be effective according to several criteria.