Normal accidents in interior firefighting operations – a study on the German system

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind the occurrence of serious accidents during interior firefighting operations of the German fire services despite numerous and significant safety improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study relying on accident investigation reports from four accidents that happened in Germany between 2005 and 2016.

Findings

The study finds that the system of interior attack firefighting in Germany is a tightly coupled and complex system, as described by the normal accident theory, and that all four cases were caused by unanticipated interactions between components of the system and were therefore system accidents as described by the normal accident theory. This means that these accidents were ultimately caused by the properties of the system that make it susceptible to system accidents.

Research limitations/implications

To prevent these accidents, there is a need to change the properties of the system that make it susceptible to system accidents.

Practical implications

The study identifies factors that make the system inherently dangerous. Hence, practical measures can be undertaken to counter these factors and make the system safer.

Originality/value

This study is the first application of the normal accident theory to the operations of the fire services in general, and it is the first theory-guided inquiry into accidents of the German fire services. The findings of this paper provide new explanations for accidents and new approaches to improve safety during interior attack firefighting operations.

Citation

Schmidt, K.W. (2020), "Normal accidents in interior firefighting operations – a study on the German system", International Journal of Emergency Services, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 167-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJES-11-2018-0055