A systematic review of the potential hurdles of in

Authors: Adrian House Nicola Power Laurence Alison

Publish Date: 2013/03/14

Volume: 16, Issue: 3, Pages: 319-335

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Abstract

This study presents a narrative synthesis of a systematic literature review relating to multiagency interoperability and major incident decisionmaking in high risk high stake environments The review methodology includes the identification of relevant studies a critical appraisal of the concepts inherent in the main review question and a narrative synthesis of the central themes that relate to the study as a whole The review firstly outlines what currently appear to be the perceived defining features of successful interoperability by using the SAFET phase model of major incident decisionmaking It then considers whether these defining features are realistically achievable in major incident practice Findings suggest that the current definition of an interoperable network is too demanding for the inherent complexity and dynamic nature of the major incident task environment Individual teams tend to focus on agencyspecific behaviour as opposed to coordinated multiteam functioning and so collective interoperability is not achieved Inevitably this reduces the ability to perform collaborative behaviours including decisionmaking and action implementation The paper concludes that aiming for the current conceptualisation of interoperability along a hierarchical command structure may actually inhibit effective decisionmaking Instead multiagency systems would do better to work towards an improved understanding of a nonhierarchical and decentralised yet interoperable major incident management network Recommendations include the need to relate theory and practice in the development of multiagency decisionmaking via simulationbased training and to deepen our understanding of interoperability to prevent inertia in high risk high stake major incident environments

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