These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to team work, team coordination and team dynamics.
In this episode I sat down for an interview with West Metro Division Chief Dan Pfannenstiel to discuss a near-miss that occurred at a residential dwelling fire. This is part two of a two-part interview so if you have not yet, be sure to listen to episode 118 for the set-up to the lessons […]
Episode 119 | Interview with West Metro Division Chief Dan Pfannenstiel – Part 2 Read More »
You’re a firefighter assigned to a roof job. It’s a flat metal roof and there’s a lot of water on it. (Set aside for a moment all your judgement about why you’re on the roof in the first place). Your situational awareness is strong and you’re getting a gut feeling that’s causing you concern for
The Five Step Assertive Statement Process Read More »
In this episode, I sat down for an interview with West Metro Division Chief Dan Pfannenstiel to discuss a near-miss that occurred at a residential dwelling fire. This is part one of a two-part interview so be sure to also listen to episode 119 for the lessons learned. Length: 51 minutes Click the YouTube
Episode 118 | Interview with West Metro Division Chief Dan Pfannenstiel – Part 1 Read More »
Throughout the fire service there are departments whose staffing has been reduced as a result of budget cuts. That is not going to come as a shock to most readers. What has been shocking for me, however, has been the response to my question of what fire department leaders are doing to ensure the situational
When Budgets Impact Staffing, Tactics Must Change Read More »
This episode explores how situational awareness may be impacted when the first arriving officer establishes a “working command.” Length: 32 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to a higher level, check out
Episode 108 | Working Command and Situational Awareness Read More »
In this episode I interview Hagerstown Fire Chief Steve Lohr. After serving 30 years with Montgomery County Fire Department, Chief Lohr accepted a position with the Hagerstown Fire Department – a department much smaller than his previous department and with far fewer resources. We discuss the safety and the improvements
Episode 107 | Interview with Hagerstown Fire Chief Steve Lohr Read More »
Situational Awareness is developed, maintained and erodes on three levels. The highest level of situational awareness is developed by being able to make realistic and accurate projections of the future events. The projections are sometimes called “mental models.” Projecting the future facilitates being able to see bad things coming… in time to change the outcome. If
Expectations are Important to Situational Awareness Read More »
I was invited to be an observer at a regional police tactical training exercise. The program was a multi-day event, starting with some classroom training and culminating in a series of simulations using mock weapons, flash-bangs and actors. The one thing that readily stood out to me was the tactical teams were not using radios
Radio Communications is Essential to Situational Awareness Read More »
In this episode I interview Dr. Burt Clark, author of the recently released book “I can’t save you but I’ll die trying: The American fire culture” shares his passion for firefighter safety and the need to change our culture. Length: 79 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you
Episode 38 – Interview with Dr. Burt Clark Read More »
In this episode I interview Dr. Chad Weinstein the author of “Thinking Aloud: Reflections on Ethical Leadership.” Dr. Weinstein works with fire departments to achieve extraordinary results through ethical leadership. Join us as we discuss the role of ethics in creating a safety culture and bringing accountability to an organization. Length: 49 minutes click the
Episode 37 – Interview with Dr. Chad Weinstein Read More »
