Throughout the fire service there are departments whose staffing has been reduced as a result of budget cuts. That is not going to come as a shock to most readers. What has been shocking for me, however, has been the response to my question of what fire department leaders are doing to ensure the situational […]
When Budgets Impact Staffing, Tactics Must Change Read More »
Research has shown that fatigue can impact situational awareness in disturbing ways. [tweet this] Some responders think if they take a “safety nap” it will help. In a small way, it may, as any rest is better than no rest. However, a nap does not resolve systemic fatigue. Rest is a critical component to brain function and
Fatigue Impacts Situational Awareness Read More »
I read with great interest (and concern) an article recently published about how the San Francisco Fire Department is being fined $21,000 by state investigators for violations to safety laws that led to the deaths of two firefighters on June 2. My concern for this action is not an attempt, in any way, to diminish
Penalties and Discipline Will Not Improve Safety Read More »
I would like to share the results of a series of informal polls I have been conducting over a several year period. I conducted these surveys during my Firefighter Safety: Mistakes & Best Practices programs. Roughly 7,000 first responders have participated. There is nothing scientific about this survey or the results. It was merely
Giving L.I.P. to R.I.T. Read More »
Towering Inferno… Backdraft… Ladder 49… Emergency… Adam 12… Dragnet… Rescue Me… Chicago Fire… Hawaii Five O … Love them or hate them, movies and television influence perceptions and create expectations three ways: First, they influence citizen perceptions of emergency service providers and create certain performance expectations. Second, they influence first responders’ perceptions of themselves and
Expectations can Impact Situational Awareness Read More »
July 28, 2023 Dr. Richard B. Gasaway, Fire Chief (ret.) has been contracted to provide situational awareness training for National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Line-of-Duty Death Investigators. The training, stated for September 28, 2023 in at NIOSH’s Morgantown, West Virginia offices will focus on helping accident investigators better understand issues with situational
Dr. Richard B. Gasaway tapped to train NOISH Investigators Read More »
Now, more than ever, employees are starting the day with a lot of stress. The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. Add this pressure to the typical workday, and the chance for incident and injury increases. While it’s impossible for employees to leave all their worries at the door, employers can learn
How stressed are you? Read More »
In this article, we’ll start off by discussing the basics of awareness. Then, we’ll talk the factors that compete for an employee’s attention. Finally, we’ll share how employers can prepare their teams for the unexpected. Reduce injuries: Close calls matter First responders see a lot of close calls. It’s important for them to be aware
What does it mean to be situationally aware? Read More »
This interview is with Bob Bemis, a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper who was struck and severely injured while attending to a vehicle fire on I-81 in eastern Pennsylvania. Sergeant (Ret.) Robert Bemis retired in 2017 as a Supervisor in the Operational Training Division at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. With over 30 years
Trooper Down on the Roadway. The Bob Bemis Story – SAM 387 Read More »
In this episode, a special guest (Santa) presents twelve tips to improve situational awareness while working in high-risk, high consequence environments. Merry Christmas everyone! I know everyone’s feeling particularly festive this time of year and ole Santa is feeling the situational awareness love. Surely, you’ve heard of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” – You know
Twelve tips to improve situational awareness – SAM 383 Read More »
