Stronger Communication, Smarter Decisions, Safer Firegrounds: New CRM Manual Released

The International Association of Fire Chiefs' (IAFC) Safety, Health, and Survival (SHS) Section, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), has released the fourth edition of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Manual.

This updated edition offers fire departments a proven framework to reduce errors, improve decision-making, and enhance teamwork on the fireground. Human error remains the leading cause of preventable incidents in the fire service, particularly during periods of fatigue and routine or extreme stress, and CRM provides a structured approach to help reduce those risks.

Five Core Factors of Crew Resource Management

The Crew Resource Management Manual introduces and reinforces five key factors that form the foundation of safer, more effective fire service operations:

• Communication: Clear, concise, and consistent information sharing ensures every team member knows what is happening and what needs to be done.
• Situational Awareness: Maintaining a real-time understanding of the environment, hazards, and changes on the fireground is critical for informed decision-making.
• Decision Making: Using structured approaches to make sound, timely decisions under pressure helps minimize errors and improve outcomes.
• Teamwork: Strong collaboration and mutual support between all team members foster trust and efficiency in high-stress situations.
• Barriers: Recognizing and overcoming obstacles-such as fatigue, hierarchy, or distractions-reduces the risk of mistakes that could lead to injury or death.

A Proven Three-Step Learning Process

Modeled after the successful training methods used in the airline industry, the manual follows a three-step learning process:

1. Awareness: Introduces CRM concepts through reading and discussion.
2. Reinforcement: Builds awareness through simulations and problem-solving exercises.
3. Refresh: Strengthens retention with ongoing training, role play, and real-world application.

This "sets and reps" approach, combined with principles from Klein's Recognition Primed Decision-Making model, ensures firefighters can apply CRM principles when it matters most.

The fourth edition serves as both an introduction and a refresher for departments committed to integrating safety best practices into daily operations. By adopting CRM principles fire departments can take a significant step toward reducing preventable injuries and fatalities in the line of duty.

How to Request and Print Copies

A limited number of physical copies are available by request, limited to one per individual or department. Contact Taylor Munday ([email protected]) to request a copy.

To ensure the resource is widely accessible, a print-ready digital file is also provided for departments needing additional copies.

Departments can:

• Download the digital file from the official IAFC or NFFF website.
• Take the file to any local or online print shop-including office supply stores, commercial printers, or municipal print services.
• Select preferred binding and finish options (e.g., spiral-bound for easy use during training, or perfect-bound for a more formal look).
• Order multiple copies to ensure every station, training officer, or crew has access to this vital resource.

This approach allows departments to create as many professional-quality copies as needed, at a lower cost, and without waiting on limited print runs.