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Distractions and Interruptions

These are first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to distractions and interruptions.

Top Ten Near-Miss Interviews (SAM 248)

In this episode, I recap the events surrounding our most downloaded near-miss interviews in the history of the show. Length: 33 minutes     Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to a higher level, check […]

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Seven Situational Awareness Thieves

Recently I had a video clip shared with me of a residential dwelling fire. The video captures a flashover event. It was reported to me that firefighters were operating inside the structure when it occurred. As I watched the video progress, it was apparent interior conditions were getting worse, the color of the smoke was

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Weather Can Impact Situational Awareness

You may recall from earlier discussions that situational awareness is formed by gathering information about what is happening in the environment around you. Then, your brain takes that information and attempts to form an understanding of what it all means. Finally, after understanding what it means, you make predictions of future events. This is a

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Episode 242 | Eric Dreiman Interview – Part 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part story about an amazing near-miss event where, if their decision to exit was delayed by only a few seconds, it would have likely resulted in a double line-of-duty death. Length: 42 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you

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SAM 241 | Eric Dreiman Interview – Part 1

This is part 1 of a 2-part story about an amazing near-miss event where, if their decision to exit was delayed by only a few seconds, it would have likely resulted in a double line-of-duty death. Length: 38 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you

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Episode 238 | Ken Prillaman Interview

  This episode is a flashback episode where Fire Chief Ken Prillaman shared his near-miss story where complacency at an EMS call almost resulted in a catastrophe. Length: 45 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness

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Episode 237 | Brian Schaeffer Interview

  This episode is a flashback episode where Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer shared his near-miss story at a commercial building fire in Spokane, Washington. Length: 56 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision

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Episode 236 | John Dantuono Interview

  This episode is a flashback episode where Firefighter John Dantuono shared his near-miss story where he was saved from falling though a roof by his SCBA bottle. Length: 43 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational

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Episode 235 | Richard Marcus Interview

This episode is a flashback episode where Firefighter Richard Marcus recounts the day the apparatus he was riding in struck a tree while returning from a call. Length: 44 minutes     Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational

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Mission Myopia: A situational awareness barrier

The primary mission in all emergency situations is to save lives and property. In some agencies when a new member is inducted into the organization they take an oath of office that includes pledging their commitment to this mission. The mission is an important – even noble – calling. But what happens when a responder

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