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 »
In this episode, we will discuss what can happen when a person is experiencing sensory conflict and how this neurological phenomenon can impact situational awareness. Length:31 minutes Click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to
Episode 106 | Sensory conflict can impact 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, Firefighter Chris Crawford from the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Fire Department. Chris is a Public Administration major at Point Park University and is writing a paper on firefighter training for his Applications of Fire Research Class. During this episode, Chris interviews Dr. Gasaway about how to ensure firefighters are
Episode 105 | Realistic Live Fire Training Challenges and Opportunities Read More »
In part-1 of this 2-part interview, I talk with Captain Eric Dreiman, Indianapolis Fire Department about his survival of a flashover event that resulted in multiple burns. Length: 44 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and
Episode 103 | Eric Dreiman – Flashover Survival Story – Part 1 Read More »
In this episode, I share how issues related to staffing can impact situational awareness. Length: 34 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 the Situational Awareness
Episode 102 | Staffing can impact situational awareness Read More »
This episode interviews four members of the Sioux Falls (South Dakota) Fire Department who experienced a near-miss event when the platform on Truck 7 came into contact with a 33 kV transmission line during a routine truck check at the station. Length: 71 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen
Episode 101 | Interview with Near Miss Survivors from Sioux Falls Fire Department Read More »
There is a growing body of research revealing that many human’s have an irrational obsession with loss. Or, perhaps more accurately, an irrational obsession with AVOIDING loss. This phenomenon is something I have seen played out in my evaluation of many casualty incidents. Ironically, the human trait to avoid loss is the same trait that
The Irrational Obsession With Loss Read More »
This is the 100th episode for SAMatters Radio… a milestone in the podcasting world. The commemorate this event we’ll take a walk down memory lane to share how the Situational Awareness Matters mission started and discuss the progress and plans for the future. Length: 42 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________
Episode 100 | Anniversary Episode Read More »
I have witnessed a rather disturbing trend in my situational awareness classes over the past year. I have added a video where firefighters are on a roof that is clearly self-venting. The video then leads us into discussions on assumed risk versus created risk and changing outcomes versus getting in the way of outcomes that
Five Tough Questions Read More »
