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Training

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to how responders are trained.

Complacency: A Lesson Worth Sharing – The Eric Wappel Story – 390

    Captain Eric Wappel shares a tale of complacency and how he faced it head-on with his department. On January 3, 2022, the North Judson – Wayne Township Fire Department was dispatched for the second time to the same residence for a “furnace smoking.” Captain Eric Wappel wasn’t available for the first response, but […]

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The Violence Project: How to stop a mass shooting epidemic. An interview with Dr. James Densley – 389

This episode is an interview is with Dr. James Densley, discussing his book: The Violence Project: How to stop a mass shooting epidemic. Dr. James Densley is Professor and Department Chair of Criminal Justice at Metro State University, part of the Minnesota State system. He is also co-founder of The Violence Project Research Center, best

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Active Shooter Part 2 – Advice for Fire and EMS

  When I was in the police academy and went through Active Shooter training it was designed solely for police officers. There was never a mention of EMS or fire department response and how they could assist in these situations.  It took approximately 8 years into my career until I went to a training that

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Active Shooter Part 1 – Advice for Law Enforcement

  My students often ask me: “Mr. Moldenhauer, what’s the worst call cops could ever go on?”  My response is always the same, an active shooter call.  I have had my share of terrible calls in my career that will stay with me forever (i.e.  suicides, child deaths, and fatal car accidents just to name

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What does it mean to be situationally aware?

In this article, we’ll start off by discussing the  basics of awareness. Then, we’ll talk the factors that compete for an employee’s attention. Finally, we’ll share how employers can prepare their teams for the unexpected. Reduce injuries: Close calls matter First responders see a lot of close calls. It’s important for them to be aware

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Trooper Down on the Roadway. The Bob Bemis Story – SAM 387

This interview is with Bob Bemis, a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper who was struck and severely injured while attending to a vehicle fire on I-81 in eastern Pennsylvania. Sergeant (Ret.) Robert Bemis retired in 2017 as a Supervisor in the Operational Training Division at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. With over 30 years

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Hit on the roadway. The Magnum Bower Story – SAM 386

This interview is with Magnum Bower, a heavy duty tow truck operator who survived being struck on a roadway incident, resulting in him becoming a quadriplegic. On May 9, 2019, heavy duty tow truck operator, Magnum Bower, was struck while working on a roadside assist.  The driver who struck Magnum was traveling approximately 25 miles

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What first responders need to know about explosives: The Jarred Alden Interview. Part 1 – SAM 381

This episode is part 1 of a 2-part interview Akron (OH) Fire Lieutenant Jarred Alden shares what we need to know about homemade explosive devices, blast effect, treating blast injury victims, and more. Lieutenant Alden is a paramedic and operations officer for the Akron (OH) Fire Department. He has 17+ years of experience as a

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When Training Goes Wrong: The Stan Mettinger Story – SAM 378

This episode shares the story of a firefighter who was burned during a vehicle fire training scenario.  Stan Mettinger was setting up a training scenario that involved setting vehicles on fire.  He was using diesel fuel to ignite hay inside the vehicle when the vapors flashed and set Stan on fire resulting in first, second

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Simulations Improve Situational Awareness – SAM 371

In this episode, we discuss how simulations can improve situational awareness. Your highest level of situational awareness is formed when you are able to make accurate predictions about future events. In neuroscience, this is called projection and it simply means you are able to predict, or project, the future events. This is accomplished through mental

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