Shared Mental Models

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to shared mental models.

Unmanned and Remote Emergency Services – The Ron Warren Interview – 391

  While presenting a situational awareness program for the Fireman’s Association of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, one of the participants was Ron Warren.  Ron is the founder and Department Chief of North Central PA Unmanned Emergency Services. He is a full-time state law enforcement officer and a veteran of the US Army, where he served two …

Unmanned and Remote Emergency Services – The Ron Warren Interview – 391 Read More »

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 responded to …

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

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 …

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

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 2 – SAM 385

This is part 2 of a 2-part interview with Eugene-Springfield Fire Battalion Chief Chris Paskett sharing details of a first-in engine crew at a working structure fire taking on gunfire. Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in …

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 2 – SAM 385 Read More »

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 1 – SAM 384

This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Eugene-Springfield Fire Battalion Chief Chris Paskett sharing details of a first-in engine crew at a working structure fire taking on gunfire. Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in …

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 1 – SAM 384 Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Simulations Improve Situational Awareness – SAM 371 Read More »

How Expectations Influence Situational Awareness – SAM 370

In this episode, we discuss how the role expectations play in helping developing situational awareness and influencing decision making.    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 …

How Expectations Influence Situational Awareness – SAM 370 Read More »

Working Command – SAM 360

In this episode explores how situational awareness may be impacted when the first arriving officer establishes a “working command.” I get asked a lot of questions about what the first arriving company officer should do at a working structure fire. Specifically, the debate revolves around two basic premise. Should the first arriving company officer assume …

Working Command – SAM 360 Read More »

19 Ways Communications can Impact SA – SAM 359

In this episode we discuss 19 ways that communications issues can impact Situational Awareness.     First responders spend a lot of time together, on calls, in the station, and in many cases in social settings outside of work. All of this interaction builds relationships that allow responders to trust their lives to each other. We’ll …

19 Ways Communications can Impact SA – SAM 359 Read More »