Accountability

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to accountability.

Situational Intelligence – The New Buzz Word

I am just back from attending a fire conference where the vendors of information management software have coined a new buzzword to sell their wares – “situational intelligence.” A couple of years ago I had a conversation with a software vendor who claimed his software “created” situational awareness. I found this claim both annoying and […]

Situational Intelligence – The New Buzz Word Read More »

Seven Ways Frustration Can Impact Situational Awareness

Anyone who’s been frustrated knows it can consume a lot of your mental energy and thinking space. This can significantly impact your situational awareness. In fact, depending on the level of frustration, your brain can be hijacked by  all-consuming thoughts about what is causing the angst. While operating at an emergency scene, frustration may draw

Seven Ways Frustration Can Impact Situational Awareness Read More »

Time Distortion: A Barrier to Situational Awareness (Episode 269)

This episode discusses the connection between time distortion and situational awareness. Length: 20 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 out the Situational Awareness Matters Online Academy. CLICK HERE for

Time Distortion: A Barrier to Situational Awareness (Episode 269) Read More »

Firefighter Through the Floor – The Matt Marlow Story (Episode 266)

In this interview, Matt Marlow shares how his late arrival on a structure fire led to a complacent mindset and caused him to fall through the floor at a residential structure fire. Length: 78 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding

Firefighter Through the Floor – The Matt Marlow Story (Episode 266) Read More »

Room for Improvement

I recently read an investigation report where a firefighter died and it made me sad. First, as we see so often in after action reviews, it appears as though the tragedy may have been preventable. The second thing that made me sad about this investigation report was the inaccurate and incomplete recommendations about situational awareness.

Room for Improvement Read More »

Electrocuted by a downed power line – The Tom Ehlers Story – Part 2 (Episode 261)

Listen in as firefighter Tom Ehlers and fire chief Wesley Cole share their story about a fire incident where Tom was struck by a falling 14k volt power line on the scene of a fire.  This is part 2 of the 2 part series. Length: 62 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the

Electrocuted by a downed power line – The Tom Ehlers Story – Part 2 (Episode 261) Read More »

Electrocuted by a falling power line – The Tom Ehler’s Story – Part 1 (Episode 260)

Listen in as firefighter Tom Ehlers and fire chief Wesley Cole share their story about a fire incident where Tom was struck by a falling 14k volt power line on the scene of a fire. Length: 54 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in

Electrocuted by a falling power line – The Tom Ehler’s Story – Part 1 (Episode 260) Read More »

Sneak Peek into a Live Situational Awareness Training Program (Episode 259)

The Situational Awareness Matters signature program was presented live at the Ponderosa Fire Department in Houston Texas. This episode is a sneak peek into a segment of the program. Click HERE to see all the programs I offer! Length: 47 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you

Sneak Peek into a Live Situational Awareness Training Program (Episode 259) Read More »

Overstaffing

It’s not something talked about often in situational awareness circles – over staffing. Far more often the focus is on issues of under staffing which, coincidentally, can be a significant barrier to situational awareness and can have a catastrophic impact on safety. There can be, on occasion, scenarios where an incident scene ends up having

Overstaffing Read More »

Thornton Fire Mayday Story – Part 3 (Episode 258)

This interview is part 3 of a 3-part series detailing the events surrounding Thornton Fire-Medic Roy Lapid mayday call, rescue from the basement and lessons learned. Length: 65 minutes     Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk

Thornton Fire Mayday Story – Part 3 (Episode 258) Read More »