- [Narrator] The final piece of the learning process
is the After Action Review.
- Okay. I copy that.
End the scenario.
The training objective was:
given the scenario you needed to make decisions
and then communicate those decisions onto the ground
as far as tactical assignments.
Let's go ahead and jump into the After Action Review.
- [Narrator] During the AAR,
focus on decision making and thought process.
- What did you see and what were your concerns
given the limited information you had?
- Well, initially things were light.
- So what was the discussion around the work to rest ratio,
you guys did have a discussion about that?
- Yeah, it was just, you know, I kind of wanted them to...
- So what were the decisions that you made,
and how did you communicate them?
- Okay. Initial decisions were to ...
- [Narrator] Make sure to involve all the participants.
- What were some of the things that you might
have been seeing because you were in the same spot
and you're hearing all these conversations, Engine Two,
what were some of the things that you were seeing,
maybe that were being missed by these guys
who were focused on the spot fires?
- Well, one of the things, when we ran out of water...
- [Narrator] Minimize the focus on tactics.
- If you had to change any of the decisions
that you made initially, would you change any of them?
What would they be?
- Absolutely. I felt like we were already sort of
locked into what we were doing.
- [Narrator] Remember, the facilitator should not be doing
the talking.
Ask open ended questions to generate discussion.
- Is there anything else anybody else saw
that might have been concerns
that you might have had if you were taking on the division?
- He got to it later.
I was the back door on that Alpha division,
and I was worried 'cause I had spots that night.
- [Narrator] Feel free to utilize
any feedback technique that works for your audience
in order to get the participants to do the talking.
The After Action Review is a crucial part
of tactical decision games.
A well facilitated AAR may draw out as many,
if not more learning points than the simulation itself
for the individual in the hot seat,
as well as the other role players.
The use of tactical decision games
as an experiential learning tool is well suited
for wild land firefighters.
The technique provides simple, repeatable,
low cost opportunities for firefighters
to make and communicate decisions
in a simulated incident environment.
This allows participants to learn
from their errors without adverse consequences.
Once you begin incorporating TDGs
into your training routine, you'll find countless
applications to improve your organization.
Good luck and game on.