This episode discusses the process for competency development and introduces the Dunning-Kruger Effect, a cognitive bias whereby unskilled people suffer from the illusion of having superior skills and knowledge. Length: 21 minutes Click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and […]
Episode 79 | The overconfident incompetent Read More »
In this episode we discuss the importance of looking into the future before committing resources at an emergency scene. Borrowing from Steve Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the lesson here is to begin with the end in mind. Length: 19 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you
Episode 78 | Begin with the end in mind Read More »
In this episode I am talking about the results of rewarding undesirable behavior. This is a topic more often discussed in my leadership programs than in my situational awareness programs – motivation. There is one fundamental component of motivation that has a direct implication to firefighter safety… reward. Length: 16 minutes click the YouTube
Episode 77 | Rewarding undesirable behavior Read More »
In today’s episode I interview Brent Thomas, Stephen MacInnis and Richard Craibbe. As members of the Ontario Fire Training Officers Association they are leading an initiative to improve access to information about critical fire incidents in the Province. Length: 75 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in
Episode 76 | Ontario Fire Service Critical Incident Initiative Read More »
In today’s episode I interview Shawn Rafferty, creator of the Safety Blueprint personal awareness and protection program. We will talk about how first responders can heighten their observational and situational awareness while operating in the field, and in their personal lives. Length: 42 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If
Episode 75 | Interview with Personal Safety Expert Shawn Rafferty Read More »
This episode is a recording of my presentation at the Executive Fire Officer Program Graduate Symposium, hosted on the Campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Length: 30 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision
Episode 74 | Creating the Thinking Firefighter Read More »
In this episode I interview Ryan Pennington about his new book Hoarder Homes: Piles of Hazards for Firefighters. This book is the first to address the topic of heavy content conditions and the challenges they face for first responders. Length: 56 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If you
Episode 73 | Ryan Pennington on Hoarder Home Fires Read More »
Some of the least appreciated members of the emergency response team are the communications specialists (in some venues, termed dispatchers). How do I know this? First, I served as a communications specialist (my job title was dispatcher) early in my career and I was routinely subjected to criticism and ridicule from responders because the
Episode 72: The dispatcher’s role in forming first responder situational awareness Read More »
In this episode we explore the origins of Situational Awareness Matters and explain why situational awareness is so important for individuals and teams who work in high risk, high consequence environments. We also reveal the top ten situational awareness barriers for first responders. Length: 56 minutes click the YouTube icon to listen _____________________________________________________ If
Episode 71: Why does situational awareness matter? Read More »
This episode discusses some of the ill effects that can impact situational awareness and decision making as a result of stress. Length: 30 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 70: Your brain on drugs: The impact of acute stress on decision making Read More »
