SAMatters Radio

Chief Ron Warren shares the valuable information about drone services provided by the North Central Pennsylvania Unmanned Emergency Services Department While presenting a situational awareness program for the Fireman's Association of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, one of the participants was Ron Warren.  Ron is the founder and Department Chief of North Central PA Unmanned Emergency Services. He is a full-time state law enforcement officer and a veteran of the US Army, where he served two combat tours in Afghanistan. Prior to becoming a police officer in 2015, he was a civilian and military flight paramedic. He has been involved in emergency services since 1994.    The use of unmanned and remote technology in support of public safety is quickly gaining traction as a situational awareness enhancer. Incident commanders can gain a comprehensive on-scene perspective that has not been readily available in the past, leading to more informed decision-making and ultimately, enhanced safety and effectiveness of personnel and operations.    During this interview we discuss: How unmanned technology is being integrated into public safety agencies and operations.   How Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) are regulated for emergency services and public safety organizations.   Why a department, such as North Central PA Unmanned Emergency Services, would form as a stand-alone department instead of just integrating into a well-established fire or rescue department.   The behind the scenes operations that are required for a safe and effective drone response.   How unmanned technology can be used as a recruiting and retention tool for the next generation of emergency responders.   About the Host Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP is widely considered a trusted authority on human factors, situational awareness and the high-risk decision making processes used in high-stress, high consequence work environments. He served 33 years on the front lines as a firefighter, EMT-Paramedic, company officer, training officer, fire chief and emergency incident commander.  His doctoral research included the study of cognitive neuroscience to understand how human factors flaw situational awareness and impact high-risk decision making.   Contact us www.SAMatters.comwww.RichGasaway.com612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected Facebook: SAMatters LinkedIn: Rich Gasaway LinkedIn: Situational Awareness Matters Twitter: Rich Gasaway Youtube: SAMattersTV itunes: SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: SAMatters Radio Google Play: SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: SAMatters Radio   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/ The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

Captain Eric Wappel shares a tale of complacency and how he faced it head-on with his department.

This episode is an interview is with Dr. James Densley, discussing his book: The Violence Project: How to stop a mass shooting epidemic. Dr. James Densley is Professor and Department Chair of Criminal Justice at Metro State University, part of the Minnesota State system. He is also co-founder of The Violence Project Research Center, best known for its mass shooter database. Dr. Densley is the author or co-author of seven books, including the acclaimed, The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic, 50 peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals, and over 90 book chapters, essays, and other works in outlets such as CNN, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.

Emergency services provide an invaluable service to communities and cities around the world. Research has shown these professionals encounter significant acute psychological stress throughout their work shifts. Acute stress has been shown to impact human performance in various realms, from increased risk-taking to cognitive decline. While the actual work varies between firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency medical services, a shared commonality is the operation of emergency vehicles. Emergency vehicle crashes are recognized as a serious issue by FEMA. The current work aimed to measure the impact of acute stress on emergency responders as measured by fatal emergency vehicle crashes in the United States using a new variable: the type of call to which they were responding.   Utilizing data maintained by the United States Fire Administration, the study reviewed fatality data of firefighters who died in the line of duty from 2000 to 2019. Deaths from vehicle crashes while responding to emergency incidents were coded using details from the fatality narratives. Crashes that led to multiple firefighter fatalities were coded as a single case, yielding 144 cases. These were then weighted using nationwide response statistics to create an exposure variable for each type of incident. The exposure was calculated based on the estimated number of responses to each incident type, as well as the typical number of vehicles that respond to each type of incident.   The results showed a considerably higher ratio of cases occurring while responding to fires compared to all other types of emergencies. Firefighters encounter over nine times the likelihood of being involved in a fatal crash while responding to a fire. Specifically, structure-fire responses were determined to pose the highest risk of encountering a fatal crash during response. When compared to emergency medical incidents, which are the most common type of calls to which fire departments answer, structure-fire responses posed nearly 20 times the risk of a fatal crash occurring. These results indicate that attempts to reduce motor vehicle crashes among emergency services should focus on human factors, specifically creating and implementing tools to reduce the acute stress and urgency produced by responses to certain incident types.       About the Host Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP is widely considered a trusted authority on human factors, situational awareness and the high-risk decision making processes used in high-stress, high consequence work environments. He served 33 years on the front lines as a firefighter, EMT-Paramedic, company officer, training officer, fire chief and emergency incident commander.  His doctoral research included the study of cognitive neuroscience to understand how human factors flaw situational awareness and impact high-risk decision making.   Contact us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected Facebook: SAMatters LinkedIn: Rich Gasaway LinkedIn: Situational Awareness Matters Twitter: Rich Gasaway Youtube: SAMattersTV itunes: SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: SAMatters Radio Google Play: SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: SAMatters Radio   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   Dusty Lambert dustylambert@gmail.com The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

This interview is with Bob Bemis, a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper who was struck and severely injured while attending to a vehicle fire on I-81 in eastern Pennsylvania.

This interview is with Magnum Bower, a heavy duty tow truck operator who survived being struck on a roadway incident, resulting in him becoming a quadriplegic.  

Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in engine was conducting his primary size-up from the front seat of the engine, a gunman opened fire on the engine, striking it several times.  Firefighters were already advancing lines on the fire.  They were also shot.  This story is told from the perspective of the first-responding battalion chief.       Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Jared Alden contact information: jalden77@yahoo.com   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/ The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Eugene-Springfield crews were dispatched to a report of a residential fire with multiple callers confirming a residential dwelling fire.  As the officer on the first-in engine was conducting his primary size-up from the front seat of the engine, a gunman opened fire on the engine, striking it several times.  Firefighters were already advancing lines on the fire.  They were also shot.  This story is told from the perspective of the first-responding battalion chief.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Merry Christmas everyone! I know everyone's feeling particularly festive this time of year and ole Santa is feeling the situational awareness love. Surely, you've heard of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” – You know – Partridge in a Pear Tree and all that other stuff that no one really needs or wants, perhaps with the exception of five golden rings, of course. (Whisper) Just don't wear them all at once. And you know that Santa has good situational awareness. He's ALWAYS capturing clues and cues about good little girls and boys. And in the spirit of Christmas, ole Santa would like to share with you his list for how to develop and maintain strong situational awareness. Of course, like any child at Christmas, this list could be much longer than 12 items. So I encourage you to go back through the archives and read some of the more than 400 articles on the Situational Awareness Matters! And… they're all FREE… that's Santa's gift to you!      Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Jared Alden contact information: jalden77@yahoo.com   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Lieutenant Alden is a paramedic and operations officer for the Akron (OH) Fire Department. He has 17+ years of experience as a firefighter and 15 + years as a paramedic. He is also a member of the SWAT Tactical Medic program. Alden has a master of arts degree in applied behavioral sciences from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a baccalaureate degree in sociology/criminology from Urbana University in Ohio. He served as an instructor in sociology at the University of Akron for six years.   In this interview, Lieutenant Alden helps us to understand how easy it is for homemade explosives to be made.  He shares important information about blast effects and helps us understand how blast Injuries occur, how to identify assess and treat them.  He also shares information about the Lethal Triad of Trauma and discusses the role law enforcement plays in assisting with patient treatments.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Jared Alden contact information: jalden77@yahoo.com   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Lieutenant Alden is a paramedic and operations officer for the Akron (OH) Fire Department. He has 17+ years of experience as a firefighter and 15 + years as a paramedic. He is also a member of the SWAT Tactical Medic program. Alden has a master of arts degree in applied behavioral sciences from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a baccalaureate degree in sociology/criminology from Urbana University in Ohio. He served as an instructor in sociology at the University of Akron for six years.   In this interview, Lieutenant Alden helps us to understand how easy it is for homemade explosives to be made.  He shares important information about blast effects and helps us understand how blast Injuries occur, how to identify assess and treat them.  He also shares information about the Lethal Triad of Trauma and discusses the role law enforcement plays in assisting with patient treatments.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Jared Alden contact information: jalden77@yahoo.com   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

John Gonzalez is a past District Chief of Toms River Fire District 1 in Ocean County, NJ and has been an active volunteer firefighter for over 30 years.  Chief Gonzalez served as a fire officer for 15 years, including 6 at Chief level for one of the largest all volunteer departments in the state of New Jersey.  Additionally, Chief Gonzalez served as a Deputy Fire Coordinator in the Toms River Office of Emergency Management for 4 years.    Prior to joining Florian ReApparatus, he worked full-time in the insurance industry for nearly 25 years, most recently in the Special Investigation Unit of a Fortune 100 Property & Casualty Insurance carrier.    Chief Gonzalez is an active member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and has successfully completed the Chief Officer Leadership Symposium levels I & II.  Currently, Chief Gonzalez holds the National TIM Training Certificate and is working towards attaining the National Traffic Incident Management Technician Certification.          Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let's Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Florian Re-Apparatus www.FlorianReApparatus.com Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

On September 4, Grayhawk bass player, Darin Wall, stopped a potential mass shooting by preventing a man from gaining entry into a private party at an event where the band had played earlier in the evening.  Wall thought the man was acting strange, so he confronted him.  The man pulled a gun and in the scuffle, Wall was shot in the leg.  The man was quickly apprehended and, in his back pack, were several other guns and drum clips. Darin has participated in several media interviews, but this was to be his first full-length retelling of the event.

Stan Mettinger was setting up a training scenario that involved setting vehicles on fire.  He was using diesel fuel to ignite hay inside the vehicle when the vapors flashed and set Stan on fire resulting in first, second and third degree burns.

On May 26, 2021, Monte Fronk, native American and Emergency Manager for the Mille Lacs Bank of Ojibwe received the most unimaginable news a father could receive. His daughter had been violently murdered. This episode, dedicated to Monte's daughter, Nada, chronicles the events surrounding her murder, the fire department's response and the traditions of our spiritual journey.  Monte closes with tips and advice for first responders on how we can reduce the impact of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

On May 26, 2021, Monte Fronk, native American and Emergency Manager for the Mille Lacs Bank of Ojibwe received the most unimaginable news a father could receive. His daughter had been violently murdered. This episode, dedicated to Monte's daughter, Nada, chronicles the events surrounding her murder, the fire department's response and the traditions of our spiritual journey.  Monte closes with tips and advice for first responders on how we can reduce the impact of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).  

In the early days of decision making research, most of the studies were conducted in college classrooms and laboratories. These settings were nothing like the high-risk, high-consequence environments faced by public safety providers. Nonetheless, the traditional decision making process does have its place and we’ll discuss where.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Under the best of conditions there can be miscommunications. When you add stress, uncertainty, changing conditions, and risk, communications can become very challenging. The first level of developing situational awareness is capturing the clues and cues from the environment. This includes capturing verbal clues and cues from dispatchers and responders. To miss radio communications is to miss clues and cues.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Challenges to a decision maker’s situational awareness from issues related to staffing were among the most significant findings from my research. I can make this bold statement for several reasons. First, from the multiple card sort exercise, forty‑three percent of the cards selected by commanders were for issues that related to staffing. Second, when I evaluated existing studies on the barriers that challenge situational awareness, in no other high-risk, high-consequence decision making environment were decision makers impacted from issues related to staffing. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

Flawed situational awareness (SA) is one of the leading contributing factors to first responder near-miss and casualty events. In fact, it is nearly impossible to find a line-of-duty death investigation report that does not implicate flawed SA, or one of the barriers that flaw SA, as contributing to the tragedy. As often as flawed SA is implicated it almost seems tragic how little first responders actually know about how to develop and maintain it, how they lose it, and how they regain it if they do lose it. This episode focuses some aspects of the first two, developing and maintaining SA. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/ The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

Your highest level of situational awareness is formed when you are able to make accurate predictions about future events. In neuroscience, this is called projection and it simply means you are able to predict, or project, the future events. This is accomplished through mental models you develop that are founded in your training and experience.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Your highest level of situational awareness is formed when you are able to make accurate predictions about future events. In neuroscience, this is called projection and it simply means you are able to predict, or project, the future events. This is accomplished through mental models you develop that are founded in your training and experience.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Complacency is a dangerous affliction and a very challenging barrier to situational awareness for workers in high-risk environments. When a worker becomes complacent they let their guard down. What does that mean? It’s a cliché – to let your guard down. It means the worker is no longer paying attention to the dangerous environment they are in. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Along a worker’s journey toward envisioning, developing, and implementing their plan to guide their (hopefully) successful outcome, they are likely to encounter two situational awareness barriers that can quickly derail their focus.   Distractions and interruptions occur for different reasons but have the same result. Both can draw a worker’s attention (and focus) away from goal setting and action planning.     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Short-term memory can create a formidable challenge to situational awareness. Long-term memory is huge, some might argue it’s limitless. Short-term memory, not so much. The capacity of the average person’s short-term memory is about seven pieces of unrelated information, give or take a few. We’ll discuss this challenge and some tips for how to work around this cognitive shortcoming. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

Dr. Donnie explores the health and wellness qualities that make for successful firefighters and other first responders at work and home.  He teaches how and why firefighters and first responders need to put their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs first.  Dr. Donnie educates first responders that the greater they care for themselves, the better they will be able to serve their communities and their families.  His education process includes using interactive activities and discussions to identify who and what are important in firefighter lives and how to begin aligning your day-to-day behaviors with your priorities in life.   Dr. Donnie Hutchinson is an Army National Guard veteran, author, speaker, University of Dayton professor, Podcaster, and a Work-Life Balance instructor who works with firefighters, law enforcement officers and first responders on self-care and work-life balance strategies to improve their success at home, work, and life. Dr. Donnie has been the work-life balance trainer and presenter for the past four years at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF/ALTS) annual conferences and has delivered numerous workshops and webinars for law enforcement, EMS, local fire districts, state organizations, and the IAFC_ SHS division. Dr. Donnie wrote Lead with Balance: How to Master Work-Life Balance in an Imbalanced Culture and co-authored Diversity and Inclusion in the Global Workplace: Aligning Initiative with Strategic Business Goals. His chapter on work-life balance addresses generational and cultural differences in managing employee work-life balance friendly policies. Dr. Donnie is an active and proud father of four children and resides in Dayton, Ohio with his wife Marlene.  His son, a U.S Army combat veteran is studying and training to become a professional firefighter. His website is: www.donniehutchinson.com     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Dr. Donnie explores the health and wellness qualities that make for successful firefighters and other first responders at work and home.  He teaches how and why firefighters and first responders need to put their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs first.  Dr. Donnie educates first responders that the greater they care for themselves, the better they will be able to serve their communities and their families.  His education process includes using interactive activities and discussions to identify who and what are important in firefighter lives and how to begin aligning your day-to-day behaviors with your priorities in life.   Dr. Donnie Hutchinson is an Army National Guard veteran, author, speaker, University of Dayton professor, Podcaster, and a Work-Life Balance instructor who works with firefighters, law enforcement officers and first responders on self-care and work-life balance strategies to improve their success at home, work, and life. Dr. Donnie has been the work-life balance trainer and presenter for the past four years at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF/ALTS) annual conferences and has delivered numerous workshops and webinars for law enforcement, EMS, local fire districts, state organizations, and the IAFC_ SHS division. Dr. Donnie wrote Lead with Balance: How to Master Work-Life Balance in an Imbalanced Culture and co-authored Diversity and Inclusion in the Global Workplace: Aligning Initiative with Strategic Business Goals. His chapter on work-life balance addresses generational and cultural differences in managing employee work-life balance friendly policies. Dr. Donnie is an active and proud father of four children and resides in Dayton, Ohio with his wife Marlene.  His son, a U.S Army combat veteran is studying and training to become a professional firefighter. His website is: www.donniehutchinson.com     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

John Moore lives in Southwest Ohio with his wife of nearly 15 years and their two children (ages 7 and 9). He attended Sinclair Community College directly out of high school and earned his firefighter 2, fire inspector, and paramedic certifications. He worked part-time for Clearcreek Fire District before being hired by the City of Kettering Fire Department as a career firefighter-paramedic in October 2007.  John worked as a firefighter paramedic until sustaining a paralyzing spinal cord injury caused by an off-duty accident in September 2008. John continues to serve the City of Kettering Fire Department full time in an administrative capacity.      Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

John Moore lives in Southwest Ohio with his wife of nearly 15 years and their two children (ages 7 and 9). He attended Sinclair Community College directly out of high school and earned his firefighter 2, fire inspector, and paramedic certifications. He worked part-time for Clearcreek Fire District before being hired by the City of Kettering Fire Department as a career firefighter-paramedic in October 2007.  John worked as a firefighter paramedic until sustaining a paralyzing spinal cord injury caused by an off-duty accident in September 2008. John continues to serve the City of Kettering Fire Department full time in an administrative capacity.    Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

This Q&A session addresses questions from recent live situational awareness programs. Much of the inspiration for the blog posts come from participant questions but this may be the first podcast episode dedicated to questions asked during live events. The three questions we address include:   What can I do to improve my intuition?   What can I do as first responders to combat information overload?   How can I tell when my perception of reality is flawed?     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

The red flags discussed in the episode are clues and cues that provide conscious (overt) awareness of what is going on or subconscious (covert) awareness of what may be going on. The red flags are clues and cues that indicate things may not be right for an interior entry.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

I get asked a lot of questions about what the first arriving company officer should do at a working structure fire. Specifically, the debate revolves around two basic premise. Should the first arriving company officer assume a fixed command position outside the structure and coordinate the activities of incoming units? Or, should the first arriving company officer assume a "working command" or "mobile command" position and engage in the firefight with their crew? This episode looks to answer that question and more.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

First responders spend a lot of time together, on calls, in the station, and in many cases in social settings outside of work. All of this interaction builds relationships that allow responders to trust their lives to each other. We’ll discuss how peer pressure can be beneficial and detrimental to first responder safety.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

In this episode we put the shoe on the other foot… and I am interviewed by Chris Crawford is a firefighter with the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Fire Department and a Public Administration major at Point Park University. Chris was writing a paper on firefighter training for his Applications of Fire Research Class and asked to interview me about how to ensure firefighters are properly prepared for the job with consideration for what some might refer to non-realistic conditions during controlled burn evolutions. Contact us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

First responders spend a lot of time together, on calls, in the station, and in many cases in social settings outside of work. All of this interaction builds relationships that allow responders to trust their lives to each other. We’ll discuss how peer pressure can be beneficial and detrimental to first responder safety.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

First responders spend a lot of time together, on calls, in the station, and in many cases in social settings outside of work. All of this interaction builds relationships that allow responders to trust their lives to each other. We’ll discuss how peer pressure can be beneficial and detrimental to first responder safety.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

The San Francisco Fire Department conducted an internal review of the incident and issued a 156-page report on their findings. Many of the lessons relate to situational awareness and it is from that perspective that I would like to share my assessment on several of their findings. I dedicate this podcast to the lives of Lieutenant Vincent Perez and firefighter/paramedic Anthony M. Valerio and I applaud the San Francisco Fire Department for conducting an internal review and for sharing their findings with the fire service so we may all learn from tragedy.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

The San Francisco Fire Department conducted an internal review of the incident and issued a 156-page report on their findings. Many of the lessons relate to situational awareness and it is from that perspective that I would like to share my assessment on several of their findings. I dedicate this podcast to the lives of Lieutenant Vincent Perez and firefighter/paramedic Anthony M. Valerio and I applaud the San Francisco Fire Department for conducting an internal review and for sharing their findings with the fire service so we may all learn from tragedy.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Good or bad, we all have habits. On an emergency scene good habits can save your life and bad habits can result of tragic consequences. So it stands to reason that you would want to form good habits and avoid bad habits, right? But you can form bad habits and not be aware of it.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

It is amazing how many articles and videos I have watched lately in which they are talking about decision making based on “gut feel.” It is also disheartening how many first responders I have interviewed who have admitted to me that they have dismissed their gut feelings and proceeded to do things that resulted in bad outcomes. Let’s explore the origins of intuition.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

This discussion includes the four steps in the progression of competency:   Step 1: Unconscious incompetence – being unaware of what you do not know.   Step 2: Conscious incompetence – being aware of how much you do not know.   Step 3: Conscious competence – being aware of how much you know.   Step 4: Unconscious competence – being unaware of how much you know.   You will also be introduced to the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In 1999, two professors at Cornell University conducted a series of experiments and published their findings in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. What they uncovered is a cognitive bias where unskilled people suffer from the illusion of having superior skills and knowledge.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

The Denver Drill that John discusses had been performed all week using two ladders and two firefighters at the sill.  But the crew on duty on this day was confident that they could perform the drill using one ladder and one firefighter.  In the process of removing Chief Vanatta (the victim) from the window, the officer on the ladder had to assist in pulling him through the window, which caused Chief Vanatta to be inverted (face up versus face down). In an effort to correct his positioning, Chief Vanatta rolled off the ladder.  The officer grabbed onto Chief Vanatta and both of them fell 10 feet to the concrete.  Recovery from their injuries took 2-3 months. Deputy Fire Chief John Vanatta Jr. joined the Siloam Springs Fire Department in January 2017. DC Vanatta is the department training officer, an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, and is currently the President of the Northwest Arkansas Metro Chief’s Training Officers Association. He is also the Captain/Training Officer of the Lincoln, AR Volunteer Fire Department. His credentials include a Masters degree from Eastern Michigan University, the CPSE Chief Fire Officer credential, and NREMT Paramedic.   Prior to moving to Siloam Springs, Chief Vanatta retired from Clinton Township Fire-Rescue-EMS in Michigan at the rank of Battalion Chief. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Chief, attaining the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. In 2008-2009, he deployed to Iraq and served as a military civil affairs liaison to the Iraqi Fire Service.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

The Denver Drill that John discusses had been performed all week using two ladders and two firefighters at the sill.  But the crew on duty on this day was confident that they could perform the drill using one ladder and one firefighter.  In the process of removing Chief Vanatta (the victim) from the window, the officer on the ladder had to assist in pulling him through the window, which caused Chief Vanatta to be inverted (face up versus face down). In an effort to correct his positioning, Chief Vanatta rolled off the ladder.  The officer grabbed onto Chief Vanatta and both of them fell 10 feet to the concrete.  Recovery from their injuries took 2-3 months. Deputy Fire Chief John Vanatta Jr. joined the Siloam Springs Fire Department in January 2017. DC Vanatta is the department training officer, an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, and is currently the President of the Northwest Arkansas Metro Chief’s Training Officers Association. He is also the Captain/Training Officer of the Lincoln, AR Volunteer Fire Department. His credentials include a Masters degree from Eastern Michigan University, the CPSE Chief Fire Officer credential, and NREMT Paramedic.   Prior to moving to Siloam Springs, Chief Vanatta retired from Clinton Township Fire-Rescue-EMS in Michigan at the rank of Battalion Chief. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Chief, attaining the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. In 2008-2009, he deployed to Iraq and served as a military civil affairs liaison to the Iraqi Fire Service.   Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Back on Episode 55, then Cypress Creek Lieutenant Jason Corthell shared his close call survival story where he was operating on the second floor of an exterior stairwell at an apartment building fire.   The stairwell, not involved in fire at all, unexpectedly collapsed, trapping Lieutenant Corthell and District Chief Sanchez under tons of steel and concrete. A mayday was called and a rapid intervention crew was able to remove the debris and successful rescue the two firefighters.   This episode chronicles Jason’s physical and mental road to recovery and he discusses his efforts to help other firefighters who may be experiencing trauma, on and off the job.     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Situational Awareness & Thermal Imaging Program on November 24 with Insight Training https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thermal-imaging-situational-awareness-improving-decision-making-tickets-126653755793?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&fbclid=IwAR1QQ-LyT5qR2J2OyomeQ1VPcp2G7R8As1GPcpKYiB-IGyuQaTLqxnKtU4Y Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Back on Episode 55, then Cypress Creek Lieutenant Jason Corthell shared his close call survival story where he was operating on the second floor of an exterior stairwell at an apartment building fire.   The stairwell, not involved in fire at all, unexpectedly collapsed, trapping Lieutenant Corthell and District Chief Sanchez under tons of steel and concrete. A mayday was called and a rapid intervention crew was able to remove the debris and successful rescue the two firefighters.   This episode chronicles Jason’s physical and mental road to recovery and he discusses his efforts to help other firefighters who may be experiencing trauma, on and off the job.     Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Situational Awareness & Thermal Imaging Program on November 24 with Insight Training https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thermal-imaging-situational-awareness-improving-decision-making-tickets-126653755793?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&fbclid=IwAR1QQ-LyT5qR2J2OyomeQ1VPcp2G7R8As1GPcpKYiB-IGyuQaTLqxnKtU4Y Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

If you are the type of person who can work on your notebook, listen to music on your iPod, talk on your cell phone and text message at the same time, (maybe all while driving) this episode is for you. Advances in technology have given us more opportunities to multitask than any other time in the history of humankind. We are bombarded with visual and audible stimulation, most of which is at our fingertips. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Situational Awareness & Thermal Imaging Program on November 24 with Insight Training https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thermal-imaging-situational-awareness-improving-decision-making-tickets-126653755793?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&fbclid=IwAR1QQ-LyT5qR2J2OyomeQ1VPcp2G7R8As1GPcpKYiB-IGyuQaTLqxnKtU4Y Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

It’s been 5 years since my last interview with my son, Cameron Gasaway.  At that time, he was serving as an apprentice firefighter in Madison, Wisconsin.  In this episode, he will share his lessons learned and offer advice to firefighters just getting started in their career. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Guest Contact Information Cameron Gasaway Cameron.Gasaway@yahoo.com Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

Rick Mehaffey serves as an engineer for the Waynesville Fire Department, is combination department that runs 2500 calls a year out of two stations. (He has since been promoted to Captain.)   At the time of the near miss event the staffing levels was 1 person on-duty at each of two stations, supplemented by roughly 30 volunteers.   0759 the fire department was dispatched to a residential fire at 71 Cornerstone Ridge in Waynesville. Mehaffey was first on-scene of a working fire in a two-story wood frame structure with light smoke coming from the eves and smoke coming out of the chimney.   Mehaffey noted the rock chimney stood approximately 8 feet above the gutter line and was 4 foot in width. The size of the chimney led him to position my engine outside of what he would deem to be the collapse zone.   Mehaffey established command and completed a 360 degree size up. The second engine arrived and they initiated interior operations. The crew located the fire in the vaulted ceiling cavity around the chimney.   Exterior crews set a ladder up to access the porch roof. This ladder was directly under the chimney.   Mehaffey exited the structure and was stopped and asked a question by a mutual aid company. At that time they were directly in front of the chimney about 10 feet away from the house.   Then someone screamed the chimney was falling.   Hearing the scream, Mehaffey and the other firefighters he was talking to began to run.   As Mehaffey heard the crash of the chimney he turned to look back to see a few large rocks that, as he described, “almost appeared to be chasing me and where so close that as I turn my head to watch where I was running I was anticipating the pain of the rock taking my legs out from underneath me.”     As he reached the engine h stopped running, turned and looked back. The rocks had stopped rolling about 5 feet behind him.   An investigation revealed the chimney was a wood frame construction with large rock attached. Improper installation had contributed to the wood frame catching fire and spreading into the ceiling cavity, causing the chimney to fall.   As Mehaffey wrote to me: “In my opinion we almost had three LODDs that day due to my inability to remove my blinders and see a potential hazard,” a hazard that by his own admission he was concerned enough on his arrival to ensue he positioned his engine outside the collapse zone.   But, as he noted; “Once my boots hit the ground I got tunnel vision and it almost cost four firefighters lives.” Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

On August 11, 2007, Captain Martin and his partner were over run by a fast-moving wildland fire. On retreat, his partner became entangled on a barbed wire fence. Captain Martin used a utility knife to cut away his partner’s ensnarled clothing and they both narrowly escaped death. Dave Martin’s crew was assigned to the task of keeping the wildland fire from jumping Highway 97.  Around 2100, Captain Martin and a member of the tribal fire management team were assigned to conduct a back-burn operation along the highway.   Unexpectedly, the fire blew up on them, eventually consuming 1,200 acres. While on a retreat from the fast moving fire, Captain Martin’s partner become entangled on a barbed wire fence. While being over run by hot embers and heavy smoke, Captain Martin used a utility knife to cut away his partner’s ensnarled clothing and they both narrowly escaped death.   Listen in as Dave shares his lessons learned that include:   The need to trust your intuition – your gut feel when it tells you something is not right. The importance of standing your ground when you feel a mistake is being made by your partner. The consequences of overlooking critical clues and cues that indicate conditions are changing. How task fixation and mission myopia and serve as barriers that impact your situational awareness and flaw your decision making. Contact us   www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.  

A confabulated reality is one that we believe to be real but, in actuality, it is made up in our brain.  The problem with this is we rarely are able to distinguish between a confabulated reality and true reality until something bad happens.  It will be at that point that we realize we were experiencing a flawed perception of reality. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.

On July 28, 2011, the Asheville Fire Department was forever changed by the tragic LODD of Captain Jeff Bowen. During this interview, Fire Chief Scott Burnette talks about that fateful day and the significant changes that have occurred in the Asheville Fire Department – changes that every fire department can benefit from.     Contact Us www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   Let’s Get connected   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   NIOSH Investigation report (Hyperlink): http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/pdfs/face201013.pdf   KMBC News video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOv27DH8aWk   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAvC7_jbcA   The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us at SAMatters.com.