Frequently Asked Questions About ITTC

For our purposes, a high-risk team is two or more people working together in an environment where there is significant risk of injury or death to themselves or to others as a result of their performance. Professionals in fields such as aviation, military, law enforcement and firefighting risk their own personal safety at work every day, making these excellent examples of high-risk professions. Other fields such as automotive technology, emergency planning, engineering, medicine, nuclear power or off-shore drilling, among others, may not seem as risky for individuals working within them, yet decisions and actions made by people in these fields can greatly affect the safety of others. Just imagine yourself on the operating table—the surgeon and his or her team's safety may not be directly at risk, but your health certainly is. Therefore, we will consider these high-risk teams as well.

All groups and organizations have subtle, and not so subtle, dynamics that influence team behavior and performance. Yet, teams operating in stressful environments, such as those listed above, also have unique characteristics determined both by the nature of their tasks and their hazardous operating environments. These include factors such as time urgency, peer pressure, exposure to personal risk, professional competitiveness, interpersonal conflicts, reputation management and living with the weighty repercussions of one's decisions, which often combine to make decision-making in high-risk teams a stressful activity.

Little research has been conducted on the unique dynamics high-risk groups must manage in their teams' operations. Although other team models exist, exploring how professionals in high-risk fields might increase their awareness of: 1) the dynamics of authority relations; 2) factors affecting the act of authorizing; and 3) the interdependent nature of leadership, while 4) assisting participants to learn how to manage anxiety and continue to think and function in stressful situations only recently has been undertaken. This Primer and the experiential exercises that go along with it fill this gap by offering participants the opportunity to examine these important issues, deciding for themselves what is relevant and applicable in their work environment. Understanding the internal dynamics of groups and teams will allow participants to become more effective leaders, followers and teammates who are better able to analyze factors impacting the success or failure of team efforts.

Yes. Although the International Team Training Center is located within the Aviation Operations Program in the Applied Aeronautics Department at Miramar College, the training is not just for aviation professionals. Much research has been done, supporting the application of Crew Resource Management training first developed approximately 25 years ago for airline pilots to other high-risk professions. Similar training has been successfully implemented in the fields of medicine, maritime transportation, emergency planning, firefighting, law enforcement, nuclear power, and off-shore oil rigs, to name just a few.

We live and work in a globalized environment. For example, law enforcement officers in the US often collaborate with those in other countries, US military work everyday with allied forces in Iraq, commercial and military pilots often fly internationally. As a result, it is important to understand the dynamics of collaboration across these international boundaries. To facilitate learning about these global dynamics, staff and participants are encouraged to attend International Team Training Center events from countries around the world, using these experiences to better understand the challenges of a globalized workplace.

Yes, to receive college credit you must register with the San Diego Community College District and enroll in AVIA 128 Group Dynamics for High-Risk Teams. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive 3 units of transferable college credit.

Click here for more information: https://applyonline.communitycollege.net/studentappview.cfm

Yes, you can attend in the pay-for-training category. Contact Dr Fraher for more details: afraher@sdccd.edu

Yes, you can attend and even earn college credit if you'd like. Contact Dr Fraher for more details: afraher@sdccd.edu

Yes, AVIA 128 Group Dynamics for High-Risk Teams is the prerequisite for AVIA 228 Group Dynamics II. Once you have completed AVIA 128, you can enroll in AVIA 228 the next time the class is offered.

Yes, you can develop an independent project. Contact Dr Fraher for more details: afraher@sdccd.edu

Yes, check out the "Resources" section.

Yes, check the "Resources" section.

Because Miramar College is a California community college, it attracts a highly diverse group of students with a wide spectrum of experience levels. Some students are recent high school graduates interested in obtaining their Associates degree so they can transfer to a 4-year institution and earn their bachelors degree. Other students commute from a variety of local military installations and are either transitioning out of the armed forces onto a new career or improving their education to move up within it. Others are returning adult learners — many with masters and doctoral degrees and/or significant industry experience such as aviation, law enforcement, fire fighting, military or medicine—interested in understanding group dynamics in high-risk teams. As a result, you will find all levels of experience and all ages, genders, sexual orientation, ethnic and religious preferences in our events.

Faculty are experienced professionals, all highly trained in the theories and methods of the field of group dynamics. In addition, many have significant experience working in high-risk profession or consulting to high-risk organizations and can bring in real-world examples from their careers. Many hale from both military and commercial airline backgrounds. Events are small, usually less than 50 students, so students can get access to the professors for the personal attention they need to succeed.

Dr Amy L. Fraher is the Director of the International Team Training Center. Contact Dr Fraher for more details: afraher@sdccd.edu or (619)388-7664 to answer all your questions.