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<br /> <br />) <br /> <br />The lessons learned in a flood fight provide the basis for plan <br />revisions and improvements in preparation for the next high water <br />event. Since floods may occur decades apart, it is important to <br />record and preserve as much information as possible for use in <br />future planning efforts. Real-life experiences provide one of the <br />best learning tools available to the flood emergency planner. <br /> <br />Notes <br /> <br />Debriefing sessions provide valuable feedback on the lessons <br />learned. While it may not be possible to debrief all work teams, <br />representative groups should be convened to gather information. <br /> <br />Debriefings do not need to be formal events. In fact, the <br />relaxed atmosphere of informal gatherings may lead to greater <br />participation and better feedback. Effective debriefing sessions <br />can be held at shift changes or even during coffee breaks. <br /> <br />At the onset of the session, it must be made clear to all <br />participants that the purpose of the debriefing session is not to fix <br />blame for any problems or errors encountered. The purpose of the <br />debriefing session should be to set the stage for improvements in <br />policies, procedures and actions. <br /> <br />It is good idea to start debriefing sessions on a positive note. <br />Areas and functions that went well should be noted. It is just as <br />important to validate methods that work as it is to correct areas that <br />are deficient. Another issue to explore is why a function was <br />successful. Was the success due to effective policies, personnel <br />training, or individual initiatives? Identifying the reasons for <br />success can be of great value where conflicting information is <br />gathered over a period of time. The debriefing leader should <br />provide continuing positive reinforcement through the process. <br />-'EVeryone I es to e comp Imente on t elr e orts. <br /> <br />The next step is to look at areas for improvement. Besides <br />identifying areas for improvements, suggestions to correct the <br />problems should be actively solicited from the group. Many <br />problems encountered in the field will be solved by individual <br />initiatives that can be used to prevent a recurrence of the situation <br />in the future. While reviewing areas for improvement, it is <br />important to provide continuous positive reinforcement and <br />prevent the session's participants from fixing the blame for errors. <br /> <br />Information gathered during the debriefing process should be <br />recorded and collated into a final report. Common areas and <br />suggestions should be highlighted and reviewed as possible <br />starting points for plan revision and improvement. <br /> <br />Page 10 - 3 <br />