On February 4, 2013 the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Company experienced a mayday when a firefighter fell down a set of unprotected stairs during a structure fire at a multi-story, multi-tenant occupancy. Length: 56 minutes Click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk […]
Episode 49: Ryan Fuller Mayday Read More »
On July 28, 2011, the Asheville Fire Department was forever changed by the tragic LODD of Captain Jeff Bowen. During this interview, Fire Chief Scott Burnette talks about that fateful day and how the Asheville Fire Department has changed the way they operate. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview. Length: 47 minutes
Episode 43: Interview with Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette – Part 1 Read More »
Raleigh Fire Battalion Chief (then Captain) Stephen Page, serving on the busy Ladder 4 in downtown Raleigh, responded to restaurant fire at 311 Glenwood Avenue. The ladder crew, followed by an engine crew with a hose line, entered the heavily smoke filled environment with the mission of search and fire attack. Length: 73 minutes click
Episode 42: Interview with Raleigh Battalion Chief Stephen Page Read More »
Wadesville Fire Department Deputy Chief Adam Farrar recounts a residential dwelling fire that resulted in two close call events for members operating at the scene. Length: 43 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
Episode 33: A double close call at a residential dwelling fire Read More »
On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, Elyria Fire Captain Joe Pronesti experienced a close call when he responded to a fire alarm activation call on a college campus. The first arriving engine reported heavy smoke coming from multiple buildings. In search of the source of the smoke, crews would learn the fire was in a tunnel
Episode 31: Out of air! A Close Call Survivor Story Read More »
On this episode, I interview Fire Chief Gord Schreiner and he shares valuable lessons from his “Safe and Efficient Scene Management Class” which by many departments throughout Canada has become known as the “StopBad” program. Length: 57 Minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding
Episode 26: StopBad! An interview with Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner Read More »
Recently I conducted an informal survey on my social media networks (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), asking: In your opinion, what is the #1 barrier to situational awareness. As expected with social media, the responses were varied and some were intended to be humorous. I would like to share a few of the responses.
Situational Awareness Survey Read More »
In the feature segment, we’ll talk about training for failure, how it happens and I’ll offer some advice on how to overcome it. I’ll also include some discussion questions you can have among your members about training and whether there may be opportunities for improvement. And we’ll share a near-miss report where a crew
Episode 13 – Training for Failure Read More »
There is a growing body of research revealing that many human’s have an irrational obsession with loss. Or, perhaps more accurately, an irrational obsession with AVOIDING loss. This phenomenon is something I have seen played out in my evaluation of many casualty incidents. Ironically, the human trait to avoid loss is the same trait that
The irrational obsession with loss Read More »
Every emergency scene operation should begin with determining the mission (sometimes called strategy) and setting task-level goals (sometimes called tactics). Strategy and tactics establish what is to be done and how it is to be done. For example, at a structure fire, arriving responders are trained to conduct search and rescue operations and to extinguish
Mission Myopia: A situational awareness barrier Read More »
