It has often been said: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” [tweet this] This is true. Regardless of how fortified the individual links are, when the chain is stressed under a load, the breaking point will be the weakest link. The same can be said of situational awareness at an emergency scene. […]
Situational Awareness of Your Weakest Link Read More »
In this episode, Captain Ricky Mehaffey from the Waynesville NC Fire Department, chronicles his near-miss survival story where 3 firefighters almost died at a “routine” chimney fire. Length: 48 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making
Episode 142 | Interview with Near Miss Survivor Rick Mehaffey Read More »
This is the final segment of the Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen series. In this article I want to share my personal perspectives on the catastrophic outcomes that result when the ingredients of the recipe come together. [tweet this] You may recall in the first segment I shared with you that I see this recipe being used over and
A Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen – Part 5 Read More »
In this episode, we explore how the brain confabulates – or makes up its own reality. In the absence of facts, the brain can start to invent or create its own reality. This can be dangerous on emergency scenes. Length: 22 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are
Episode 141 | Confabulation Read More »
In this segment of the Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen series, I share the fourth step of the recipe – complacency – and more specifically letting your safety guard down and how it can result in failure to learn, implement and practice nationally accepted best practices. As complacency sets in, an organization can lose its inertia and its
A Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen – Part 4 Read More »
In this segment of the Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen series, I share the third step of the recipe – confidence and more specifically how an over-inflated sense of confidence can erode firefighter situational awareness. Confidence is the sense of assurance that results from the performance of duties believed to be high quality. [tweet this] The problem is confidence
A Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen – Part 3 Read More »
In this episode, we discuss ideas for how to build expert knowledge in first responders, especially during a time when the number of structure fires is declining. Length: 22 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to
Episode 139 | Building expert knowledge Read More »
In this segment of the Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen series, I share the second step of the recipe – consequence. [tweet this] Rather, the lack of consequence and the impact this may have on firefighter situational awareness. One of the outcomes you might expect when there is incompetent behavior is an injury – a consequence.
A Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen – Part 2 Read More »
In this episode, we discuss 9 things you should consider when evaluating your purchase of incident command software. Length: 31 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to a higher level, check out the Situational Awareness Matters
Episode 138 | Nine considerations when evaluating incident command software. Read More »
I am blessed. My work allows me to uncover many lessons from human behavior and cognitive neuroscience research that benefit the situational awareness of first responders. My 30+ years in fire and EMS positions me well to understand how those lessons can improve our safety. It has truly become my passion and my calling. [This
A Recipe From Hell’s Kitchen – Part 1 Read More »
