1 00:00:03,798 --> 00:00:07,298 (dramatic music playing) 2 00:00:40,350 --> 00:00:43,350 - [Narrator] There's no substitute for field experience. 3 00:00:43,350 --> 00:00:46,170 However, tactical decision games delivered 4 00:00:46,170 --> 00:00:49,410 through sand table exercises will provide firefighters 5 00:00:49,410 --> 00:00:51,000 with the opportunity to practice 6 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:52,950 the decision making process, 7 00:00:52,950 --> 00:00:55,530 as well as communicate their intent. 8 00:00:55,530 --> 00:00:57,990 Tactical decision games, or TDG's 9 00:00:57,990 --> 00:01:01,110 as they're commonly called are a logical step in blending 10 00:01:01,110 --> 00:01:02,694 the skills and tactics taught 11 00:01:02,694 --> 00:01:06,090 in conventional fire courses and lessons learned 12 00:01:06,090 --> 00:01:08,463 in the leadership and human factors curriculum. 13 00:01:09,330 --> 00:01:12,150 The sand table exercise is a tactical decision 14 00:01:12,150 --> 00:01:15,180 game that employs a three-dimensional terrain model 15 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:18,903 with various props to represent assets or liabilities. 16 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,910 Tactical decision games focus on intuitive decisions 17 00:01:23,910 --> 00:01:26,340 because the dynamic environment we work in 18 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:29,373 requires you to be able to make decisions quickly. 19 00:01:41,430 --> 00:01:44,103 Was five seconds enough time to make your decision? 20 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:46,500 The essential factor 21 00:01:46,500 --> 00:01:49,800 in intuitive decision making is experience. 22 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,860 - Copy that, time 1200. 23 00:01:52,860 --> 00:01:53,880 - [Narrator] That experience 24 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,990 allows recognition of similarities to previous situations, 25 00:01:57,990 --> 00:02:00,720 a pattern of typical cause and effect develops 26 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:02,490 to allow a decision that does not 27 00:02:02,490 --> 00:02:04,830 require analysis or reason. 28 00:02:04,830 --> 00:02:08,220 It's essential that TDG's are set up with specific training 29 00:02:08,220 --> 00:02:10,110 objectives in mind. 30 00:02:10,110 --> 00:02:12,330 It's the facilitator's responsibility 31 00:02:12,330 --> 00:02:16,050 to ensure that the exercise and discussions do not stray 32 00:02:16,050 --> 00:02:17,700 from the purpose of the training. 33 00:02:19,020 --> 00:02:21,390 It's usually better to start with a problem 34 00:02:21,390 --> 00:02:24,240 and allow role players to create the solutions. 35 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:27,150 The problem you start with must lead players directly 36 00:02:27,150 --> 00:02:28,260 to the decision making 37 00:02:28,260 --> 00:02:30,663 and training objectives you've identified. 38 00:02:31,860 --> 00:02:35,790 - And knowing the great basin conditions, 39 00:02:35,790 --> 00:02:38,793 it will definitely get hotter and the RH will go down. 40 00:02:46,090 --> 00:02:50,760 - Okay, today's scenario, you're gonna be a hall attack crew 41 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:52,860 of exclusive use. 42 00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:55,290 We're gonna have helicop foreman 43 00:02:55,290 --> 00:02:58,110 of one second year firefighter. 44 00:02:58,110 --> 00:03:00,120 - [Narrator] A facilitator presents the scenario 45 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,640 to the group by explaining the conditions, 46 00:03:02,640 --> 00:03:05,850 situation and features on the table. 47 00:03:05,850 --> 00:03:07,920 The facilitator should answer questions about 48 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:10,110 the scenario that the players would reasonably 49 00:03:10,110 --> 00:03:11,370 have knowledge of 50 00:03:11,370 --> 00:03:14,820 but the facilitator should not eliminate all uncertainties. 51 00:03:14,820 --> 00:03:16,410 - You'll have a chainsaw on board. 52 00:03:16,410 --> 00:03:20,820 One five gallon QB, one radio between a handheld 53 00:03:20,820 --> 00:03:24,870 and pretty much any of the hand tools you want to utilize 54 00:03:24,870 --> 00:03:27,810 to actually put out this fire that will be referred to 55 00:03:27,810 --> 00:03:30,330 as the Telephone Creek Fire. 56 00:03:30,330 --> 00:03:34,620 It's 10 o'clock temperatures, 87 degrees, RH 21%. 57 00:03:34,620 --> 00:03:37,740 And of course it'll be temperature going up, RH dropping 58 00:03:37,740 --> 00:03:39,453 down as temperatures move on. 59 00:03:40,740 --> 00:03:41,700 Also in the scenario 60 00:03:41,700 --> 00:03:44,660 we'll have tanker tanker, two, three, that... 61 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:50,880 - [Facilitator] Action. 62 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,130 - Let's go ahead and do a safety briefing. 63 00:03:53,130 --> 00:03:55,950 You guys know the name of this fire is the Telephone Creek. 64 00:03:55,950 --> 00:03:57,510 It's 94 degree. 65 00:03:57,510 --> 00:04:00,960 - [Narrator] The players are then put in the role of leader. 66 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,120 They should be encouraged to be decisive 67 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:06,030 and communicate their decisions in the form of briefings. 68 00:04:06,030 --> 00:04:08,640 Following the briefing format found in the incident 69 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:13,110 response pocket guide or in clear text instructions. 70 00:04:13,110 --> 00:04:14,340 - A lot, but heads up 71 00:04:14,340 --> 00:04:16,650 we'll use the helicopter for an eye in the sky, 72 00:04:16,650 --> 00:04:18,930 as well as bucket drops. 73 00:04:18,930 --> 00:04:20,700 I'll go ahead and run the bucket drops, but 74 00:04:20,700 --> 00:04:23,670 I'll come down the hill with you because we'll use the 75 00:04:23,670 --> 00:04:25,083 the helicopter for our eyes. 76 00:04:26,053 --> 00:04:27,633 Guys got any questions? 77 00:04:34,110 --> 00:04:35,880 - At this time, tanker two, three 78 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,640 just dropped a load of foam retardant 79 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:39,940 right on top of your crew. 80 00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:42,750 - [Narrator] The scenario puts players 81 00:04:42,750 --> 00:04:46,800 in tactical situations requiring some sort of a decision. 82 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:48,813 A problem requiring a solution. 83 00:04:51,330 --> 00:04:53,283 - Okay, is everybody okay? 84 00:04:54,180 --> 00:04:57,060 How about we pull on up outta here and go to the top 85 00:04:57,060 --> 00:05:00,010 of the hill and I'll call dispatch and see what's going on. 86 00:05:06,450 --> 00:05:08,280 - So why did we land up here? 87 00:05:08,280 --> 00:05:09,150 What about over here? 88 00:05:09,150 --> 00:05:11,100 What were you thinking over here? 89 00:05:11,100 --> 00:05:12,750 - [Narrator] In the after action review, 90 00:05:12,750 --> 00:05:15,240 players analyze or discuss their solution 91 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:17,367 as a means of drawing out the lesson]. 92 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,600 There are no school or facilitator solutions. 93 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,470 In fact, creativity is a prized trait in technicians. 94 00:05:25,470 --> 00:05:28,953 Unusual solutions should be encouraged and recognized. 95 00:05:30,540 --> 00:05:32,790 In the series of video segments that follow, 96 00:05:32,790 --> 00:05:34,650 we'll break down some key elements 97 00:05:34,650 --> 00:05:36,210 of tactical decision games 98 00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:39,960 and how to utilize a sand table as the delivery platform. 99 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:41,820 The different video segments will focus 100 00:05:41,820 --> 00:05:43,560 on the involvement of the participants 101 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,380 as role players, facilitation techniques 102 00:05:46,380 --> 00:05:48,723 and the use of after action reviews.