Leadership

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

Active Shooter Part 1 – Advice for Law Enforcement

  My students often ask me: “Mr. Moldenhauer, what’s the worst call cops could ever go on?”  My response is always the same, an active shooter call.  I have had my share of terrible calls in my career that will stay with me forever (i.e.  suicides, child deaths, and fatal car accidents just to name […]

Active Shooter Part 1 – Advice for Law Enforcement Read More »

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 2 – SAM 385

This is part 2 of a 2-part interview with Eugene-Springfield Fire Battalion Chief Chris Paskett sharing details of a first-in engine crew at a working structure fire taking on gunfire. Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 2 – SAM 385 Read More »

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 1 – SAM 384

This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Eugene-Springfield Fire Battalion Chief Chris Paskett sharing details of a first-in engine crew at a working structure fire taking on gunfire. Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in

First-in engine under gunfire: The Chris Paskett Interview: Part 1 – SAM 384 Read More »

Complacency – SAM 369

In this episode, we preview the complacency chapter from the book, How Smart Workers Use Situational Awareness to Improve Safety. Complacency is a dangerous affliction and a very challenging barrier to situational awareness for workers in high-risk environments. When a worker becomes complacent they let their guard down. What does that mean? It’s a cliché

Complacency – SAM 369 Read More »

Firefighter Wellness: Leading a balanced life. Dr. Donnie Hutchinson Part 2 – SAM 366

In this episode, we continue our discussion with Dr. Donnie, talking about the health and wellness qualities that make for successful first responders at work and at home.   Description         Dr. Donnie explores the health and wellness qualities that make for successful firefighters and other first responders at work and home.  He teaches how

Firefighter Wellness: Leading a balanced life. Dr. Donnie Hutchinson Part 2 – SAM 366 Read More »

Firefighter Wellness: Leading a balanced life. Dr. Donnie Hutchinson Part 1 – SAM 365

In this episode, Dr. Donnie explores the health and wellness qualities that make for successful first responders at work and at home. Dr. Donnie explores the health and wellness qualities that make for successful firefighters and other first responders at work and home.  He teaches how and why firefighters and first responders need to put

Firefighter Wellness: Leading a balanced life. Dr. Donnie Hutchinson Part 1 – SAM 365 Read More »

Live Events Q & A – SAM 362

In this episode I share some of the more commonly asked questions that come up during live Situational Awareness events.  This Q&A session addresses questions from recent live situational awareness programs. Much of the inspiration for the blog posts come from participant questions but this may be the first podcast episode dedicated to questions asked

Live Events Q & A – SAM 362 Read More »

Working Command – SAM 360

In this episode explores how situational awareness may be impacted when the first arriving officer establishes a “working command.” I get asked a lot of questions about what the first arriving company officer should do at a working structure fire. Specifically, the debate revolves around two basic premise. Should the first arriving company officer assume

Working Command – SAM 360 Read More »

Conducting Realistic Fire Training – SAM 358

In this episode we put the shoe on the other foot… and I am interviewed by Chris Crawford is a firefighter with the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Fire Department and a Public Administration major at Point Park University. Chris was writing a paper on firefighter training for his Applications of Fire Research Class and asked to

Conducting Realistic Fire Training – SAM 358 Read More »

Peer Pressure – SAM 356

This episode explores our basic human desire to be liked and respected. Not only do we want to be liked, but we also have a very strong internal drive to avoid embarrassment. These traits of human behavior can result in peer pressure that can, in turn, impact your situational awareness.     First responders spend a

Peer Pressure – SAM 356 Read More »