Root Cause Analysis for Fire Departments*

Wilton Fire Dept. Employees-Only Session
March 10, 2021
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon   - Check-in begins at 9:30 AM

Learning Objectives

*This training session qualifies for three (3) educational hour in Organizational Development towards CCMO certification

The purpose of reviewing both incidents and accidents that cause injury or damage is to identify the root cause of the incident in order to prevent the recurrence of future accidents. The focus should be on the activity at the time of the incident, not the injury. Unfortunately, too often the review process is limited to completing the necessary insurance paperwork.

Root cause analysis (RCA) is a systematic process for identifying the "root cause" of problems or events and an approach for responding to them. RCA is based on the basic idea that effective risk management requires more than merely "putting out fires" for the problems that develop, but finding a way to prevent them. Root Cause reviews are critical in identifying, controlling, and eliminating workplace health and safety risks. The better prepared you are, the more likely you will be able to perform your review correctly, even in midst of the trauma and turmoil of a critical incident. For a root cause review to be effective, it needs to be structured and systematic. It also needs to be performed by trained employees who can maintain an open mind about the causes of an accident throughout the review. The primary goal of using RCA is to analyze problems or events to identify why situations are occurring so that best practices can be implemented.

This CIRMA training and education program describes the basic requirements of a Root Cause Analysis, identifies possible ways to determine the root cause of the incident, and how to use these techniques to improve safety in the workplace.

The primary learning objectives of this training and education program are to:

• Understand the value of and need for root cause analysis to be completed.
• Obtain the practical supervisory skills to conduct quality root cause analysis.
• Understand the critical role of the supervisor in the root cause analysis and reporting process.
• Learn how to determine the root cause(s) of accidents and develop accident prevention action.
• Understand the CIRMA claims management function and how reviews are critical to their success.

Instructor

Stephen Pendl,
Senior Risk Management Consultant, CIRMA Risk Management Services

Stephen Pendl brings years of emergency and risk management experience to CIRMA. Stephen was most recently the Chief of the Cromwell Fire Department. During his time as Chief, Stephen was a member of the CIRMA Risk Management Advisory Committee, and had professional relationships with the State of Connecticut Emergency Management Services Advisory Board, the Middlesex County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association. Stephen studied business management at SUNY Sullivan College.