Safety

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making articles related to first responder safety.

Positive Reinforcement of Undesirable Behavior

In this article I am taking on a topic often discussed in my leadership programs more often than in my situational awareness programs – motivation. I’m not going to get in to depth on the topic of motivation as it takes me a solid four hours in a classroom session to demystify the topic and […]

Positive Reinforcement of Undesirable Behavior Read More »

Episode 236 | John Dantuono Interview

  This episode is a flashback episode where Firefighter John Dantuono shared his near-miss story where he was saved from falling though a roof by his SCBA bottle. Length: 43 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational

Episode 236 | John Dantuono Interview Read More »

Episode 235 | Richard Marcus Interview

This episode is a flashback episode where Firefighter Richard Marcus recounts the day the apparatus he was riding in struck a tree while returning from a call. Length: 44 minutes     Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational

Episode 235 | Richard Marcus Interview Read More »

Mission Myopia: A situational awareness barrier

The primary mission in all emergency situations is to save lives and property. In some agencies when a new member is inducted into the organization they take an oath of office that includes pledging their commitment to this mission. The mission is an important – even noble – calling. But what happens when a responder

Mission Myopia: A situational awareness barrier Read More »

Episode 234 | The Dirty Dozen – Killer Situational Awareness Barriers

This episode discusses some of the most challenging barriers to situational awareness while working in high-risk, high-consequence environments.  This is part 2 so if you missed part 1 – Episode 233 – be sure to check it out first and that will help you understand the challenges we are going to discuss here. Length: 36

Episode 234 | The Dirty Dozen – Killer Situational Awareness Barriers Read More »

Situational Awareness Matters

Nine Dangerous Mindsets: Part 9 – The Synergist

Welcome to this, the last of the nine part series on dangerous mindsets. From the feedback I’m getting, this series hit some chords with readers. I appreciate the kind words about my observations and the advice I’ve dispensed throughout this series. In this installment I’m going to talk about the Synergist – the person who

Nine Dangerous Mindsets: Part 9 – The Synergist Read More »

Episode 233 | The Process for Developing Situational Awareness

The episode discusses the process for developing and maintaining situational awareness.  We will discuss the foundation, walls and roof of the SA development process. This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.   Length: 36 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking

Episode 233 | The Process for Developing Situational Awareness Read More »

Situational Awareness Matters

Nine Dangerous Mindsets: Part 8 – The Slacker

Welcome to part eight of the Nine Dangerous Mindsets series. In this installment I’m going to take on one of the most challenging and perhaps one of the most frustrating mindsets – the Slacker. This mindset is dangerous to situational awareness because a Slacker does so little to ensure his or her personal readiness for

Nine Dangerous Mindsets: Part 8 – The Slacker Read More »

Episode 232 | Kevin LaChapelle Interview Part 2

This episode is part 2 of a 2-part interview with Fire Chief Kevin LaChapelle from the Franklin, New Hampshire Fire Department sharing the details of mayday event that occurred in Franklin.   Length: 37 minutes Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO         __________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your

Episode 232 | Kevin LaChapelle Interview Part 2 Read More »

Nine Dangerous Mindsets – Part 7: The Superman/Superwoman

Welcome to installment seven of the Nine Dangerous Mindsets series. While these mindsets may have many dangerous implications, my focus is to bring light to how they can impact situational awareness and team safety. I have been receiving some amazing feedback so far on this series. Readers are sharing that I have struck a chord,

Nine Dangerous Mindsets – Part 7: The Superman/Superwoman Read More »