"The critique can be a powerful tool for effecting change. A noted fire service expert observed that, "the post incident critique allows emergency responders to get a clear idea of the effects of their actions on the outcome of the operation. By comparing the expected outcome to the actual consequences, the fire department can make personal as well as organizational adjustments. And by assessing what worked, and what did not, improvements can be made". A critique is a fact-finding exercise and a chance to relate and record pieces of information that collectively form a picture of the event and how personnel responded from both a command (tactical) and line (operational) standpoint. It is a tool to assess firefighting, rescue, and training effectiveness, and should include tactical plans and command decisions accompanied by how well they were followed. Lessons learned from the experience should be used constructively to correct deficiencies and influence training and education. Changes made to the department's plans and procedures typically occur per the outcome of incident critiques. Management must be willing to act upon the lessons learned and correct the problems as quickly as possible; otherwise, subordinate personnel will think the critique process is a waste of time, and future critiques could suffer accordingly. The term "critique" may carry a negative connotation for some personnel in the fire service. Critiquing an incident may be perceived as a way to assign blame for mistakes that were made. The postincident critique, (or perhaps a less threatening term such as debriefing, after-action review, or postincident analysis (PIA) ) should be viewed as a constructive way to obtain helpful feedback and positive suggestions. The process should be considered an important tool for improving firefighter safety and health, as well as a means for ensuring that the public is receiving quality services". (USFA, Special Report: The After-Action Critique: Training Through Lessons Learned, 2008, p. 1). The following are examples of the inherent value of critiques and what they can accomplish: (1) provide emergency service personnel with a clear indication of the impact their actions had on the general outcome of an incident; (2) used to analyze and compare how different applied strategies and tactics affect the outcome of incidents; (3) identify trends and patterns in errors during emergency operations so that immediate action can be taken to prevent them from reoccurring; (4) identify positive outcomes that reflect proper attention to procedures, good decisionmaking, leadership skills, and so forth; (5) serve as a catalyst for revising flawed tactical plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); (6) used as a test bed where alternative tactics and evolutions are attempted, and to study their effect on the outcome of the incident; (7) help identify additional or remedial training for personnel; (8) used as technical reference material and cataloged for retrieval and examination during any similar future incidents; (9) disseminate critical lessons learned during an incident...". (Ibid., p. 2)