Training

These are the first responder situational awareness and decision making issues and opportunities related to how responders are trained.

Mayday Radio Channel

I recently was contacted by a fire officer asking whether their mayday procedure should include a provision for a dedicated mayday channel for the distressed crew to transmit their post-mayday traffic on. This is a question I’ve been asked often enough that I want to dedicate an article to the topic of mayday communications procedures.

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The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance – 406

  In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Dill about the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance and their work to reduce firefighter suicides.     Description   In 2010, Jeff Dill founded Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA).  And since 2021, Jeff has served full time as the Behavioral Health Administrator for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue

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The Minnesota Hometown Heroes Assistance Program – 405

    In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with George Esbensen, President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.   During his 32 years in the fire service, George Esbensen served in many roles, from firefighter to chief. Today, he volunteers as Board President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE),

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PFAS, Firefighter Cancer and The Foam Exposure Committee – 404

  In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Vicki Quint and Rick Nickerson about PFAS, foam exposure and the risk to firefighters.   The Foam Exposure Committee Mission Statement – – To reduce firefighter / first responder exposures to perfluorinated chemicals used in firefighting foams in order to protect their health and lives. We will

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The NIOSH 5 and Leadership – The Jeff Snider Interview – 403

  In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Snider about the NIOSH 5 – or the five most often cited contributing factors in Line of Duty death investigations and lessons for leader   Jeff Snider has served with the Canadian military as a Special Forces Operator (3 CDO), a Correctional Officer at a maximum-security facility,

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Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 2 – 402

This episode is part 2 of a 2-part interview where Dr. Gasaway talks with retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief Vince Mulray and Battalion Chief Bobby Kennedy about conducting a Line-of-Duty After Action Review following the death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau on January 6, 2018. After Action Review-Line of Duty Death   On January 06, 2018, Lt.

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Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 1 – 401

  This episode is part 1 of a 2-part interview where Dr. Gasaway talks with retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief Vince Mulray and Battalion Chief Bobby Kennedy about conducting a Line-of-Duty After Action Review following the death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau on January 6, 2018. After Action Review-Line of Duty Death   On January 06, 2018,

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The 400th Episode Anniversary of the SAMatters Show – 400

    Dr. Gasaway, along with some special guests, celebrates the milestone of reaching our 400thepisode.   The Situational Awareness Matters Show debuted on May 12, 2014.  This episode highlights the journey Dr. Gasaway has taken to educate first responders about situational awareness and high-risk decision making. About the Host Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP

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Tactical Decision Games – An Interview with Phil Jose – 398

  In this episode, Dr. Gasaway talks with Phil Jose about tactical decision games. Phil Jose, Deputy Chief, (Ret.), 30 years in Seattle Fire Department. He chaired the SOG and PIA committees.  Chief of the Year 2013.  FDIC Instructor 19 years with the highest attended class in 2023: The Art of Reading Smoke. FDIC 2008

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From Firefighter to Fire Chief – The Tom DeSorcy Story – 397

In this episode, Dr. Gasaway talks with Retired Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy about how he quickly went from being a volunteer firefighter to career fire chief. Tom DeSorcy joined the fire service in 1983 and became the first paid firefighter in his hometown of Hope, B.C., when he became fire chief in 2000.  This followed

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