Incident Investigation & Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real RED CARD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Incident Investigation & Analysis flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST describes 'normalization of deviance' as it applies to wildland fire accident investigations?
Answer: Gradual acceptance of risky practices as normal when negative outcomes don't immediately occur
Normalization of deviance occurs when repeated rule violations without immediate consequences cause crews to treat unsafe practices as acceptable.
When preserving a wildland fire accident scene for investigation, which action is MOST critical?
Answer: Photograph the scene before disturbing any evidence
Photographic documentation before any disturbance preserves the scene's evidentiary integrity for investigators.
An investigation reveals firefighters were not briefed on the day's Incident Action Plan. Under which investigation category does this finding fall?
Answer: Administrative or management failure
Failure to brief personnel on the IAP is a management and administrative breakdown, not an individual firefighter error.
The 'Swiss Cheese Model' of accident causation is relevant to wildland fire investigations because it illustrates that:
Answer: Multiple layered defenses each have gaps, and accidents occur when gaps align
The Swiss Cheese Model shows that accidents result when holes in multiple safety layers align simultaneously, allowing hazards to pass through.
A Facilitated Learning Analysis (FLA) differs from a formal Serious Accident Investigation primarily in that an FLA:
Answer: Focuses on learning rather than determining fault or liability
FLAs are designed as non-punitive learning tools that encourage open discussion, unlike formal investigations which may determine liability.
During a post-incident review, a crew member states they felt pressured not to voice safety concerns. This relates to which human factors concept?
Answer: Crew Resource Management breakdown and psychological safety failure
When crew members feel unable to speak up about safety concerns, Crew Resource Management has failed and psychological safety is absent.
What is the significance of identifying 'contributing factors' versus 'root causes' in a wildland fire accident investigation?
Answer: Root causes are the deepest systemic failures while contributing factors are surface-level conditions
Root cause analysis seeks the deepest systemic reason an incident could occur, while contributing factors are the more immediate conditions that enabled it.