This series is focused on the seemingly insane things that first responders do while operating in high-stress, high-consequence environments. Oftentimes, those trying to make sense of these behaviors are quick to judge the participants, saying things like: “How could they be so stupid?” or “What were they thinking?” or perhaps the worst one of all […]
Explanations for Situational Awareness Insanity – Part 3 Read More »
In this segment, we continue our discussion about the seemingly insane things that firefighters do at structure fires. I use the word insane not because the firefighters suffer from a mental affliction. Rather, I use the word insane because we keep doing the same things over and over again while expecting different results. This meets
Explanations for Situational Awareness Insanity – Part 2 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 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 »
For those who have been along for the journey from the launch of the Situational Awareness Matters mission, thank you so much for your dedication and support. I really appreciate it! For those who may be newer, welcome and thank you for joining the community of learners. During SAMatters Tour stops I get asked a
A Tour of SAMatters Read More »
On this episode I interview Sean Balantic. After serving 6 years active duty as a United States Marine, Sean served as a federal firefighter prior to being employed by the Rochester, New York Fire Department where he has served for almost 7 years. Sean is assigned as a firefighter on Truck 3. In this interview,
Episode 21: Situational awareness lessons shared by a first responder struck by a car Read More »
This close call survival story is an interview with Aurora Fire Lieutenant Sean Dolan sharing amazing lessons from the house fire where he was caught in a flashover and sustained second and third-degree burns. Sean is very candid in sharing the details of what happened and how close he came to death. Length: 63 minutes
Episode 18: Situational Awareness Lessons Learned in Two Minutes Read More »
Thanks to everyone who got connected with me at the 2014 Fire Department Instructor’s Conference in Indianapolis last week. The conference and all the programs were amazing (as always). I am grateful to Bobby Halton, Diane Rothschild, Cindy Huse, Tommy Grigg, Marla Patterson and the entire Fire Engineering/PennWell team for the opportunity to contribute. The
Situational Awareness Tour Stop at FDIC Read More »
Thank you to Chris Peak for sharing the following review of Situational Awareness for Emergency Response book. Dear Dr. (Chief) Gasaway, I am not an expert in book reviews or any “science”. That is something I think should be mentioned. I am a Fire Fighter and Emergency responder second to a husband and a father.
SAFER Book Testimonial Read More »
A free Situational Awareness conference call was held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 (during International Fire/EMS Safety & Health Week). Thank you to Tiger Schmittendorf (Erie County, New York), Ryan Pennington (Charleston, West Virginia) and Will Ball (Williamsport, Maryland) for being my guests panelists as we took caller questions and discussed topics that included:
Situational Awareness Conference Call Read More »
