Measuring the Effects of Team Resource Management Training for the Fire Service

Abstract

Applications of Crew Resource Management training outside of the aviation industry, such as in anesthesia (crisis resource management) or the fire service (team resource management, TRM) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the effectiveness of such training and its suitability for the different target groups is seldom evaluated. In this study, TRM training for a German fire service was developed based on a needs assessment and instructional design theory. Fifty-nine firefighters participated in this study and received a half-day training intervention. The TRM training itself was evaluated and its impact on knowledge acquisition and attitude changes was measured at three different measurement times, before the training (T0), directly after the training (T1) and seven months later (T2). The TRM training was judged as enjoyable and useful and the participants stated a positive knowledge acquisition. Results regarding the declarative knowledge showed a significant knowledge acquisition from T0 to T1 and a significant decrease in knowledge seven months later; nevertheless, the participants still had significantly more knowledge at T2 than before the training. For three of the seven measured teamwork-relevant attitudes, significant positive changes from T0 to T1 could be demonstrated and the attitude changes remained stable over seven months. Further research is needed to investigate the application of TRM in different professions and also the effectiveness of recurrent training in these fields.