fire chief

Situational Awareness 101 (Episode 315)

During this Pandemic, I have heard the term situational awareness spoken more times than I can ever remember.  Media pundits, medical experts, emergency managers – they’re all telling us it’s important to maintain situational awareness.  In one respect, this warms my heart because situational awareness has been my passion topic for more than 15 years.  […]

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Three Kinds of Stress You Might Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Episode 314)

In this episode, we explore three types of stress you might experience resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic including: Acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress. Length: 26 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full video.   __________________________________________________ All of our live event topics are now available, virtually. CLICK HERE for details, enrollment

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Situational Awareness Thoughts and Observations About Covid-19 (Episode 313)

In this episode, I share situational awareness thoughts and observations about the COVID-19 Pandemic and address 25 situational awareness barriers that are causing me concern. Length: 65 minutes   Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO     __________________________________________________ All of our live event topics are now available, virtually. CLICK HERE for details, enrollment

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A line of duty death perspective – The Jeff Dickey Story (Episode 312)

Lieutenant Jeff Dickey has served the Washington, D.C. Fire Department for more than 30 years.  Jeff was an acting officer during an incident where a DC firefighter was killed and Jeff was on the crew that recovered his body. Length: 59 minutes     Click the YouTube icon to watch the full VIDEO    

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First responder fatigue

Sleep and Situational Awareness

The work schedule, along with the physical and mental demands placed on first responders and people working in high risk environments, can quickly cause brain fatigue. Most responders know that fatigue can have an impact on critical thinking and mental acuity. This, in turn, can have a significant impact on situational awareness. Situational awareness is

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Seven Ways Frustration Can Impact Situational Awareness

Anyone who’s been frustrated knows it can consume a lot of your mental energy and thinking space. This can significantly impact your situational awareness. In fact, depending on the level of frustration, your brain can be hijacked by  all-consuming thoughts about what is causing the angst. While operating at an emergency scene, frustration may draw

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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,

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Situational Awareness Matters

Nine Dangerous Mindsets – Part 6: The Silent

Welcome to part six of this nine-part series on dangerous mindsets that can impact situational awareness. I appreciate all of the very kind feedback I have been receiving on this series on Facebook, Twitter and by email. Your positive feedback energizes me so much. Thank you. In this segment we’re going to discuss the Silent member.

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Situational Awareness Matters

Nine Dangerous Mindsets – Part 5: The Stubborn

Welcome to the fifth of the nine-part series on dangerous mindsets that can impact situational awareness and, subsequently, the safety of your team. In this article I am going to address the stubborn team member. This individual can be described as one set in their ways, closed minded and perhaps even defiant. Their narrowed view

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Nine Dangerous Mindsets: Part 4 – The Superior

Welcome to the fourth installment of the Dangerous Mindsets series. Previously I talked about the dangerous mindsets of the Starter, the Subordinate and the Specialist. This article addresses the Superior or, more appropriately, the Superior with personal issues and how that can impact situational awareness and team safety. It would be rare for a supervisor

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