Attention Management

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to the management of attention.

Distractions and Interruptions – SAM 368

In this episode, we preview the distractions and interruptions chapter from the book, How Smart Workers Use Situational Awareness to Improve Safety. Along a worker’s journey toward envisioning, developing, and implementing their plan to guide their (hopefully) successful outcome, they are likely to encounter two situational awareness barriers that can quickly derail their focus. Distractions […]

Distractions and Interruptions – SAM 368 Read More »

Information Overload – SAM 355

This episode explores the capacity of the human brain to process sensory stimuli into short-term memory and the impact it can have on situational awareness. The San Francisco Fire Department conducted an internal review of the incident and issued a 156-page report on their findings. Many of the lessons relate to situational awareness and it

Information Overload – SAM 355 Read More »

The John Vanatta Story. Part 2 – SAM 350

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part interview with Deputy Chief John Vanatta discussing a training exercise that went wrong and resulted in two firefighter injuries after falling 10 feet  on to concrete. Deputy Chief John Vanatta discussing a training exercise that went wrong and resulted in two firefighter injuries. Part 2 The Denver

The John Vanatta Story. Part 2 – SAM 350 Read More »

The John Vanatta Story. Part 1 – SAM 349

This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Deputy Chief John Vanatta discussing a training exercise that went wrong and resulted in two firefighter injuries after falling 10 feet  on to concrete. The Denver Drill that John discusses had been performed all week using two ladders and two firefighters at the sill.  But

The John Vanatta Story. Part 1 – SAM 349 Read More »

The Myth of Multitasking – SAM 346

This episode explores the challenges workers face while operating in dynamically changing conditions that require sharing attention to multiple, concurrent activities – a.k.a., multitasking.  If you are the type of person who can work on your notebook, listen to music on your iPod, talk on your cell phone and text message at the same time,

The Myth of Multitasking – SAM 346 Read More »

The Jeff Bowen LODD Story, told by Scott Burnette. Part 2 – SAM 341

This episode is part 2 of a two-part interview with Asheville (NC) Fire Chief Scott Burnette, sharing the details and perspective on the LODD of Captain Jeff Bowen. 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

The Jeff Bowen LODD Story, told by Scott Burnette. Part 2 – SAM 341 Read More »

The Jeff Bowen LODD Story, told by Scott Burnette. Part 1 – SAM 340

This episode is part 1 of a two-part interview with Ashville (NC) Fire Chief Scott Burnette, sharing the details and perspective on the LODD of Captain Jeff Bowen. 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

The Jeff Bowen LODD Story, told by Scott Burnette. Part 1 – SAM 340 Read More »

The John Glaser LODD Story, told by Ryan Pyle. Part 2 – SAM 339

In this episode I sat down for an interview with Shawnee (KS) Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Pyle to discuss a residential structure incident that resulted in the death of Firefighter John Glaser. Ryan discusses the details of this tragic incident and the lessons his department learned from it. This episode is part 2 of a

The John Glaser LODD Story, told by Ryan Pyle. Part 2 – SAM 339 Read More »

The John Glaser LODD Story, told by Ryan Pyle. – Part 1 – SAM 338

In this episode I sat down for an interview with Shawnee (KS) Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Pyle to discuss a residential structure incident that resulted in the death of Firefighter John Glaser. Ryan discusses the details of this tragic incident and the lessons his department learned from it. This episode is part 1 of a

The John Glaser LODD Story, told by Ryan Pyle. – Part 1 – SAM 338 Read More »

Trapped in a basement – The Perry Hall Story – Part 2 – SAM 337

This episode is part two of a two-part interview with Perry Hall, a firefighter who shared his story of a horrific near-miss event and the life-changing impact it has had on him.   Description   On May 5, 2014 Perry Hall was part of an engine crew conducting a search when he got separated from

Trapped in a basement – The Perry Hall Story – Part 2 – SAM 337 Read More »