Category Archives: Neuroscience
Radio Traffic Can Improve or Destroy Situational Awareness
When it comes to first responder radio traffic I am reminded of the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You may recall that in the story Goldilocks samples three bowls of porridge. One is too hot. One is too … Continue reading
Posted in Attention Management, Auditory exclusion, Communications, Complacency, Decision Making, Distractions and Interruptions, Emotions, Fear, firefighter situational awareness, human factors, Information overload, Neuroscience, Safety, Situational awareness, Stress, Training, Tunneled Senses
Tagged decision making, dispatch, emergency management, EMT, fire, fire command, fire command training, fire training, firefighter safety, firefighter situational awareness, fireground command, fireground command decision making, fireground commander, fireground safety, haz-mat, hazardous materials, officer safety, paramedic, patient care, police officer safety, public safety, radio communications, rescue, responder safety, safety, Situational awareness matters, tactical decision making, technical rescue
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Using the simulation environment to improve situational awareness
Many first responder training programs use simulation in the development of decision making competencies. Simulation exercises help develop skills in setting strategy and tactics, in applying policies and procedures and in developing critical thinking skills. But how can simulations be … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Crew Resource Management, Decision Making, Human Behavior, human factors, Information overload, Mental Models, Neuroscience, Safety, Simulation, Situational awareness, Stress, Technology, Training, Workload Management
Tagged decision making, decision making under stress, fire service leadership, firefighter safety, firefighter situational awareness, high reliability organizations, leadership, mental models, mindfulness, problem solving, resiliency, resilient problem solving, safety, sense making, Simulation, situational awareness, Situational awareness matters, staffing, teamwork, training
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Positive Reinforcement of Undesirable Behavior
In this article I am taking on a topic often discussed in my leadership programs more often than in my situational awareness programs – motivation. I’m not going to get in to depth on the topic of motivation as it … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Culture, Decision Making, firefighter situational awareness, Human Behavior, Leadership, Neuroscience, Safety, Situational awareness
Tagged communications, decision making, firefighter safety, firefighter situational awareness, incident command, leadership, positive reinforcement, situational awareness, undesirable behavior
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Locus of Control
Locus of control is a psychological principal that refers to the extent to which person feels they are in control of the events that can affect their life, well-being or success. It is often associated with how a person views … Continue reading
Posted in Decision Making, firefighter situational awareness, Human Behavior, human factors, Neuroscience, Safety, Situational awareness, Stress
Tagged brain science, decision making, external locus of control, firefighter behavior, firefighter safety, firefighter situational awareness, internal locus of control, locus of control, situational awareness
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Imagination can influence situational awareness
If I were to tell you that on an emergency scene it is possible for you to use X-Ray vision, you’d probably think I’ve been watching too many Superman movies. But it is possible for you to look right through … Continue reading
Posted in Attention Management, Confabulation, Decision Making, firefighter situational awareness, Human Behavior, human factors, Neuroscience, Safety, Situational awareness
Tagged brain science, decision making, firefighter safety, firefighter situational awareness, hallucinations, imagination, incident command, leadership, situational awareness
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Explaining Tunnel Vision
When it comes to developing and maintaining situational awareness, tunnel vision is a big deal. Effective situational awareness is developed from having a broad perception of the environment in which you are operating. As your focus narrows, you start to … Continue reading
Every EMS Call Starts with Scene Safety
“Scene Safe, BSI.” These words have been uttered by every first responder who has ever received medical training. In fact, any responder who has performed a practical exercise for certification knows the first two mandatory skills to be completed on … Continue reading
Posted in Checklists, Communications, Decision Making, firefighter situational awareness, Human Behavior, Neuroscience, Safety, Situational awareness, Situational Readiness, size-up, Training
Tagged decision making, emergency medical services, EMS, firefighter safety, first responder training, incident command, leadership, scene safety, situational awareness
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