Operational learning process

Capturing and sharing operational learning to improve performance and safety.

National Operational Learning (NOL) forms part of the maintenance process for the National Operational Guidance (NOG) products and will be a vital element of NOG going forward. NOL outcomes will be one of the factors considered when changes are made to guidance and will ensure the review of NOG is as effective as possible.

The aim is to capture operational learning from UK fire and rescue services and the wider international fire and rescue sector. We will be able to learn proactively as well as reactively.

Service engagement in the process is vitally important to ensure that guidance remains as current and appropriate as possible. To assist services, a Good Practice Guide has been created which gives guidance on the process.

The process

The process has been designed to capture learning and check it against the guidance framework of hazards, control measures, strategic and tactical actions. The identification of gaps in guidance will be addressed and, where necessary, content will be consulted upon and amended utilising the existing NOG governance structures.

Learning events will be collated and analysed by a central team within NOG, known as the NOL secretariat, in partnership with internal and external experts from across the fire sector and academia. The secretariat will propose recommendations to the National Operational Learning User Group (NOLUG) who will decide on the required actions.

NOLUG is a national group formed by strategic leads from across the UK fire services, multi-agency partners and representative bodies. NOLUG are the decision-making body of national learning and sits within the NFCC structure of National Operational Effectiveness Working Group (NOEWG).