I was invited to be an observer at a regional police tactical training exercise. The program was a multi-day event, starting with some classroom training and culminating in a series of simulations using mock weapons, flash-bangs and actors. The one thing that readily stood out to me was the tactical teams were not using radios
Radio Communications is Essential to Situational Awareness Read More »
In this episode, Firefighter Chris Crawford from the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Fire Department. Chris is a Public Administration major at Point Park University and is writing a paper on firefighter training for his Applications of Fire Research Class. During this episode, Chris interviews Dr. Gasaway about how to ensure firefighters are
Episode 105 | Realistic Live Fire Training Challenges and Opportunities Read More »
If you have attended one of my new Mental Management of Emergencies programs you have learned how stress is a game-changer when it comes to firefighter situational awareness and decision making quality. Most basic training programs focus on developing cognitive knowledge and physical skills. Far less address the impact of stress on situational awareness and
You Can’t Handle the Truth! Read More »
This is Part 2 of an interview with Captain Eric Dreiman, Indianapolis Fire Department about his survival of a flashover event that resulted in multiple burns. Length: 47 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness
Episode 104 | Eric Dreiman – Flashover Survival Story – Part 2 Read More »
Your highest level of situational awareness is formed when you are able to make accurate predictions about future events. In science we call this projection and it simply means you are able to predict, or project, the future events. This is accomplished through mental models you develop that are founded in your training and experience.
Time to Task Completion is Critical Read More »
In part-1 of this 2-part interview, I talk with Captain Eric Dreiman, Indianapolis Fire Department about his survival of a flashover event that resulted in multiple burns. Length: 44 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and
Episode 103 | Eric Dreiman – Flashover Survival Story – Part 1 Read More »
When I talk with first responders about situational awareness and what it takes to develop and maintain it, the program participants often use terms such as: “It’s important to pay attention.” Or, “You have to keep your head on a swivel.” Or, “It helps to look up, down and all around.” All of this is
Mission-induced Blindness Read More »
In this episode, I share how issues related to staffing can impact situational awareness. Length: 34 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
Episode 102 | Staffing can impact situational awareness Read More »
During a recent situational awareness program a participant was discussing something that went wrong at a routine call. As the story went, the crew had been to this address numerous times for the same (or similar) problem. Each time, the issue was resolved quickly and without incident. The call was, by his words, routine. So,
This episode interviews four members of the Sioux Falls (South Dakota) Fire Department who experienced a near-miss event when the platform on Truck 7 came into contact with a 33 kV transmission line during a routine truck check at the station. Length: 71 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen
Episode 101 | Interview with Near Miss Survivors from Sioux Falls Fire Department Read More »
