06/05 Organisational Debriefing

Information for the CDEM sector [IS 06/05]

The aim of organisational debriefing is for staff to communicate their experiences of an emergency (eg response, transition and/or recovery), an exercise or other activity so that lessons can be identified. Arrangements (plans, training etc) can then be modified to reflect lessons identified and best practice
and therefore improve the organisation’s ability to respond in future emergencies.

It is important during pre-event planning to establish a process for learning from an emergency. This should involve identifying a process for organisational debriefing and reviewing plans and arrangements post-event. 

It is vital that all staff involved, regardless of seniority, understand that an organisational debrief is about improving performance and not about assigning blame. All staff who contributed to the activity being debriefed should be able to contribute to the debriefing process. These expectations should be communicated with all stakeholders pre-event.

Download the Organisational Debriefing Information Series [IS 06/05] (.pdf 359kb)