Intuition

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

Sharing multiple near-miss experiences including being held-up at gunpoint. The Jim Arie Story – Part 1 (Episode 331)

This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part interview where we learn about multiple near-miss events experienced by retired Fire Chief, Jim Arie throughout his 43-year career and he’ll discuss the situational awareness lessons from being held-up at gunpoint in March, 2020. Length: 41 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full video.   […]

Sharing multiple near-miss experiences including being held-up at gunpoint. The Jim Arie Story – Part 1 (Episode 331) Read More »

Situational Awareness Best Practices for Incident Commanders (Episode 326)

There are three component parts to situational awareness – perception, understanding and prediction.  There are barriers that can impact awareness on all three levels. The application of best practices can help incident commanders reduce the impact of barriers. Length: 35 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full video.   __________________________________________________ All of our

Situational Awareness Best Practices for Incident Commanders (Episode 326) Read More »

Unexpected Information Can Be a Barrier to Situational Awareness

One of the foundations of situational awareness development is being able to make accurate predictions of future events. Making (accurate) predictions is a fairly complex neurological process that relies heavily on gathering information, comprehending the meaning of the information, tapping into your stored knowledge of past experiences, trusting your intuition and using your imagination to

Unexpected Information Can Be a Barrier to Situational Awareness Read More »

Where Does Intuition Come From?

  It is amazing how many articles and videos I have watched lately in which they are talking about decision making based on “gut feel.” It is also disheartening how many first responders I have interviewed who have admitted to me that they have dismissed their gut feelings and proceeded to do things that resulted

Where Does Intuition Come From? Read More »

What You Don’t See Can Save You

I dedicate a lot of time during my situational awareness programs ensuring that first responders understand how clues and cues serve as the foundation for developing and maintaining good situational awareness. We also spend considerable time making the connection of how strong situational awareness becomes the foundation for good decision making. For the most part,

What You Don’t See Can Save You Read More »

Trapped Under A Ceiling Collapse. The Ron Hunter Story (Episode 291)

In this episode, I interview Spartanburg Fire Lieutenant, Ron Hunter, as he recounts the mayday and RIT activation after being trapped under a collapsed ceiling at an apartment building fire. Length: 71 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness

Trapped Under A Ceiling Collapse. The Ron Hunter Story (Episode 291) Read More »

Interview with Adam Kinakin, host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast Show – Part 2 (Episode 279)

This episode is part 2 of a 2-part interview with the host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast, Adam Kinakin, discussing the importance of situational awareness in high-risk decision-making scenarios Length: 52 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and

Interview with Adam Kinakin, host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast Show – Part 2 (Episode 279) Read More »

Situational Awareness and Decision Making Tips for Training

I recently received an email from a SAMatters community member asking for tips to improve size-up, situational awareness and decision making while training in a flashover simulator. It was a great question (thank you Captain Scott Byers from the Tracy Fire Department)! I offered Scott a number of ideas and thought it would be good

Situational Awareness and Decision Making Tips for Training Read More »

Interview with Adam Kinakin, host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast Show – Part 1 (Episode 278)

This episode is part 1 of a 2-part interview with the host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast, Adam Kinakin, discussing the importance of situational awareness in high-risk decision-making scenarios Length: 50 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and

Interview with Adam Kinakin, host of The Tactical Breakdown Podcast Show – Part 1 (Episode 278) Read More »