The study of “human factors” in the fire service originated in the wildland fire community. In 1994 the USFS lost 14 of their best on a mountain side in Colorado. The investigation yielded a number of surprising and not so surprising results (unfortunately fire tragedies seem to repeat themselves). Most of the issues revolved around the decisions, human errors, and the ineffective interpersonal communication made that day.

The most popular human factors encountered in the fire service are decision making, human error, and interpersonal communication. I find it interesting that these subjects for the longest time were presented only to our upper management (Division, Assistant, and Department Chiefs) as if they were the only ones faced with needing this knowledge. Eventually this information was shared with the middle management (Company Officers and Battalion Chiefs) as they really do live this knowledge in our most hazardous environments.

I read a short article in EMS World which referenced a “new” study about the risks of not wearing SCBA during overhaul. “Researchers have found that firefighters may face an increased risk for heart disease from exposures that occur while working during the overhaul stage, according to a recent study in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.”

I read a fire fatality investigation report that brings up some interesting thoughts on how we communicate with each other during times of crisis. It’s from a wildfire incident a couple years ago.