SAM 006 | Wayne Williams Interview on safety and situational awareness

In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Dill about the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance and their work to reduce firefighter suicides.

In 2010, Jeff Dill founded Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA).  And since 2021, Jeff has served full time as the Behavioral Health Administrator for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue in Nevada.

Jeff travels the United States & Canada holding workshops to educate firefighters, dispatchers & EMS about behavioral health awareness, moral injury and suicide prevention.  In 2010, FBHA began tracking and validating data on all FF, EMS and dispatcher suicides across the United States. In addition, FBHA offers ten workshops for first responders, counselors/chaplains, family members and preparing for retirement.

Jeff Dill holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, is a retired Fire Captain at Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois.  

FBHA has been tracking and validating FF, EMS and Dispatcher suicides since 2010, We can discuss the data, how it is obtained, who uses it, what it shows us. Jeff has travelled over a million miles presenting educational workshops on behavioral health and suicide. As most non profits today it is a struggle to keep a float but FBHA is grateful for everyone's support including numerous times from Rich Gasaway!

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)

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Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System
http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/

Jeff Dill Contact Information

FFBHA.org

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In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with George Esbensen, President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.

During his 32 years in the fire service, George Esbensen served in many roles, from firefighter to chief. Today, he volunteers as Board President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), an advocacy nonprofit he co-founded in 2016 dedicated to providing Minnesota's firefighters with the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health. Chief Esbensen has been an advocate for firefighter wellness for his entire career, leading efforts to ban cancer-causing flame retardants, establish the Hometown Heroes Survivor Act, and, in 2021, pass the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation.

Hometown Heroes Assistance Program

The summer of 2023 marked the two-year anniversary of the Minnesota legislature’s passing of the Hometown Heroes Act. This win for the state’s fire service has since ensured that every Minnesota firefighter has access to a MnFIRE Assistance Program with expanded emotional trauma resources, including free visits to mental health professionals and ongoing peer support, an up-to-$20,000 critical illness policy that they’re automatically enrolled in, and ongoing health and wellness training, all at no cost to them or their department.

Firefighters across the country – and across Minnesota – are affected by serious health concerns including cardiac disease, emotional trauma and cancer at rates nearly twice as high as the general public. But since the legislation went into effect, the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP), administered by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), has changed thousands of lives through an array of confidential resources available to all active volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time Minnesota firefighters. In just over two years, the program has provided:

·      Nearly 1,000 firefighter-focused mental health providers across the state to offer up to five no-cost counseling sessions per issue per year to firefighters and their families. To date the MnFIRE Assistance Program has facilitated nearly 1,600 visits with mental health providers.

·      An expanded network of trained MnFIRE peer supporters, which has responded to more than 675 calls.

·      149 paid Critical Illness claims, totaling $1.9 million. Illnesses have included full-benefit cancer, COVID-19, post-traumatic stress disorder, skin cancer, other cancer, ALS, heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, heart disease, kidney failure, coronary artery disease needing surgery and more.

·      1,118 MnFIRE trainings to 17,524 firefighters about the increased occupational health risks they face and how to cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

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
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Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System
http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/

George Esbensen Contact Information
MNFireInitiative.com

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In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Vicki Quint and Rick Nickerson about PFAS, foam exposure and the risk to firefighters.

The Foam Exposure Committee Mission Statement - - To reduce firefighter / first responder exposures to perfluorinated chemicals used in firefighting foams in order to protect their health and lives. We will recommend a list of firefighting products for fire departments based on testing data and Committee review. First responders should have immediate access to safer fluorine-free firefighting foams.

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/

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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 interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Snider about the NIOSH 5 – or the five most often cited contributing factors in Line of Duty death investigations and lessons for leaders.

Jeff Snider has served with the Canadian military as a Special Forces Operator (3 CDO), a Correctional Officer at a maximum-security facility, and 28 years in the Fire Service, serving in the positions of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, K9 Handler, Acting Training Officer and Assistant Chief, in both the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, and the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service. 

Jeff has been involved as an instructor in the Fire Service since 1997. Outside of the departments that he has worked for as a firefighter, he has been fortunate enough to have travelled all over BC, across Canada, and as far south as Mexico and Peru, in his role as an instructor/evaluator.

Jeff’s role now, as the Chief Instructor for the Practical N Tactical Training Group, allows him to work with like-minded, dedicated instructors, who understand that teaching is an outstanding opportunity to “pour back into” the community that has provided so much to them. He sees this as both a privilege and a pleasure. 

When Jeff’s not at work, he is spending time with his “Much Better Half”, his “mutts”, his family and friends. Exercising brain and body is a priority so he will often be lifting something, rolling with his Jiujitsu buddies or reading something. Otherwise, you may find him hiking the woods, building unusual playhouses for his grandchildren or carving things with a chainsaw!

The NIOSH five are:

1.   Improper Risk Assessment

2.   Lack of Incident Command

3.   Lack of Accountability

4.   Inadequate Communications

5.   Lack of SOPs or Failure to Follow Established SOPs

These are the top 5 causal factors that contribute to the ultimate outcomes in the investigated LODD reports. And while we are on the topic, please tell me you are reviewing, personally and with your crew, each and every NIOSH Line of Duty Death report. This is an invaluable resource, made available to all of us. When tragedy strikes our Fire Service family, it is imperative that we don’t lose the lessons that others have paid the highest price.

These five leading causes can also be attributed to the most common leadership failures, in the Fire Service, and many other organizations as well.

Here is an outline of what we’ll be talking about today:

1 - Inadequate communications

-       Listen (verbal and non-verbal).

-       How you communicate your message.

-       Clear and concise message.

-       Public speaking skills.

-       No unnecessary messaging.

-       Honest feedback.

2 - Improper risk assessment

-       360 problems before you start making decisions.

-       Understand the problem before solutions.

-       Spend time with personnel.

-       Understand personnel and their life challenges.

-       Situational awareness.

-       Preplan.

-       Reading people.

-       Self awareness: My values personal life, feelings, reactions.

-       Character: Acting with integrity in line with your values.

-       You can’t fire a canon from a row boat.

3 - Lack of incident command

-       Someone has to be in charge.

-       Decisive.

-       Take your time when making decisions.

-       Set your ego aside.

-       Use the knowledge of others as a resource.

4 - Lack of accountability.

-       Character, integrity, commitment, accountable.

-       In line with your values.

-       Be accountable to your personnel.

-       Keep best interest of personnel in mind.

-       Lead up the chain of command.

-       Accountable to the chief.

-       Accountable to the city’s elected and appointed officials.

-       Keep the complaints internal.

-       Focus your energy for good.

-       Accountable to the community.

5 - Lack of, or failure to, follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).

-       Train on SOPs.

-       Officer need to know SOPs.

-       Make sure SOPs are up to date.

-       Be proactive to know and ensure SOPs are up-to-date.

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
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itunes: SAMatters Radio
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Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System
http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/

Jeff Snider Contact Information

PracticalNTactical.net

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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 January 06, 2018, Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, a 42-year-old male and 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD), died after becoming trapped from an interior structural collapse while engaged in interior firefighting operations.  Two additional firefighters were injured during the collapse and one civilian occupant of the dwelling, who was removed during initial operations, also died.  An After-Action Review (AAR) was conducted by the PFDs Health and Safety Office, at the direction of Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel, to provide insight into the event and PFD operations from the time of dispatch to the time the fire was placed under control, a time span of approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes.

A fire box assignment was dispatched at 08:51:43 for a reported dwelling fire on the 2200 block of N. Colorado Street.  Responding units were forced to overcome significant impediments including: a snow and ice-covered street, temperatures of approximately 9°F with a wind chill of -10°F (NOAA, 2018) and limited apparatus access to the front of the fire dwelling.  Engine 45, a crew of three firefighters supervised by Lt. LeTourneau, was the first-due engine company and the first unit to arrive on location.  At approximately 08:55:05,

Lt. LeTourneau reported a two story, fifteen feet by thirty-five feet, middle of the row dwelling with fire showing on the first floor.  Lt. Letourneau placed two engine companies and two ladder companies in service to begin the initial fire suppression efforts. Fire companies on scene had a difficult time obtaining a steady water supply and the fire dwelling was extremely cluttered with debris, which posed an extreme hazard and complicated interior operations.  While working to overcome difficult conditions, firefighters gained access to the first floor, removed one civilian victim, and eventually accessed the second floor of the dwelling to attack the fire and complete a search for occupants.  At approximately 09:33, almost 42 minutes after Engine 45’s dispatch, an interior “V” shaped collapse occurred trapping several firefighters, including Lt. LeTourneau.

Vince Mulray Bio:

VINCENT P. MULRAY is a 35-year veteran of the fire service and a retired (July 2023) Fire Deputy Chief with the Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department. He was last assigned to Division 02 and was responsible for all operations in the Northeast section of Philadelphia.  He began his career in 1988 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1993.  He held the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief before his promotion to Fire Deputy Chief in January of 2017.  He served as the department’s Health and Safety Officer from 2017 to 2019, and also served in multiple staff units at all ranks during his career.  Before joining the fire department, he worked as a Railroad locomotive Engineer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.

Bobby Kennedy Bio:

BOBBY KENNEDY is a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department, currently serving as a Fire Battalion Chief in North Philadelphia.  Chief Kennedy has been assigned to both engine and ladder companies, responding to all hazard’s emergencies in neighborhoods throughout the city and has served in several administrative staff positions.  He was the primary author for the Philadelphia Fire Department’s After-Action Report for the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau. Chief Kennedy has degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Planning and Management. 

After Action Review-Line of Duty Death

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/

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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.

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/

Burt Clark contact and link to his book:

www.AmericanFireCulture.com

drburtclark@gmail.com

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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 episode is part 1 of a 2-part interview where Dr. Gasaway talks with retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief Vince Mulray and Battalion Chief Bobby Kennedy about conducting a Line-of-Duty After Action Review following the death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau on January 6, 2018.

After Action Review-Line of Duty Death

On January 06, 2018, Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, (LeTurnO) a 42-year-old male and 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD), died after becoming trapped from an interior structural collapse while engaged in interior firefighting operations.  Two additional firefighters were injured during the collapse and one civilian occupant of the dwelling, who was removed during initial operations, also died.  An After-Action Review (AAR) was conducted by the PFDs Health and Safety Office, at the direction of Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel, to provide insight into the event and PFD operations from the time of dispatch to the time the fire was placed under control, a time span of approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes.

A fire box assignment was dispatched at 08:51:43 for a reported dwelling fire on the 2200 block of N. Colorado Street.  Responding units were forced to overcome significant impediments including: a snow and ice-covered street, temperatures of approximately 9°F with a wind chill of -10°F (NOAA, 2018) and limited apparatus access to the front of the fire dwelling.  Engine 45, a crew of three firefighters supervised by Lt. LeTourneau, was the first-due engine company and the first unit to arrive on location.  At approximately 08:55:05,

Lt. LeTourneau reported a two story, fifteen feet by thirty-five feet, middle of the row dwelling with fire showing on the first floor.  Lt. Letourneau placed two engine companies and two ladder companies in service to begin the initial fire suppression efforts. Fire companies on scene had a difficult time obtaining a steady water supply and the fire dwelling was extremely cluttered with debris, which posed an extreme hazard and complicated interior operations.  While working to overcome difficult conditions, firefighters gained access to the first floor, removed one civilian victim, and eventually accessed the second floor of the dwelling to attack the fire and complete a search for occupants.  At approximately 09:33, almost 42 minutes after Engine 45’s dispatch, an interior “V” shaped collapse occurred trapping several firefighters, including Lt. LeTourneau.

Vince Mulray Bio:

VINCENT P. MULRAY is a 35-year veteran of the fire service and a retired (July 2023) Fire Deputy Chief with the Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department. He was last assigned to Division 02 and was responsible for all operations in the Northeast section of Philadelphia.  He began his career in 1988 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1993.  He held the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief before his promotion to Fire Deputy Chief in January of 2017.  He served as the department’s Health and Safety Officer from 2017 to 2019, and also served in multiple staff units at all ranks during his career.  Before joining the fire department, he worked as a Railroad locomotive Engineer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.

Bobby Kennedy Bio:

BOBBY KENNEDY is a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department, currently serving as a Fire Battalion Chief in North Philadelphia.  Chief Kennedy has been assigned to both engine and ladder companies, responding to all hazard’s emergencies in neighborhoods throughout the city and has served in several administrative staff positions.  He was the primary author for the Philadelphia Fire Department’s After-Action Report for the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau. Chief Kennedy has degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Planning and Management. 

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/

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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. Gasaway, along with some special guests, celebrates the milestone of reaching our 400^thepisode.

Description

The Situational Awareness Matters Show debuted on May 12, 2014.  This episode highlights the journey Dr. Gasaway has taken to educate first responders about situational awareness and high-risk decision making.

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
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 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, Dr. Gasaway interviews Vince Mulray, retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief, discussing the 2015 derailment of Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington DC to New York City.

On May 12, 2015, at approximately 9:20pm, Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington D.C. to New York City derailed and crashed on the Frankford Junction curve on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.  All seven cars and the electric locomotive left the tracks.  The derailment and crash resulted in 8 deaths and over 200 passengers injured.   

     This incident required the rescue, extrication, treatment and transportation of over 200 passengers.  The derailment and crash involved 7 passenger cars and one electric engine (#601) on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor at the Frankford Junction curve.  Amtrak estimated that this accident would cost taxpayers approximately 9.2 million dollars.  Initial responding companies remained on scene for one operational period.  Fire Department assistance was required for approximately 5 days until service was fully restored.  One accomplishment that should be noted was that no Fire Department injuries were reported for this response.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

     Frankford Junction is a former railroad station with an active rail yard approximately three miles from Amtrak’s North Philadelphia Station.   Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line travels through this area on four tracks that form an S curve with a 50-mile-per-hour speed limit for all trains, the slowest track speed limit between Washington D.C. and New York City, the train’s final destination.  The junction was well known to first responders and local residents because of a previous accident.  On September 6, 1943, the Congressional Limited, traveling nonstop from Washington D.C. to New York City, derailed in the same general area, killing 79 of the 541 passengers.

     Amtrak train records indicated that on Train 188, an emergency application of its brakes occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m.  The fire department’s 911 call center received its first notification at 9:27 p.m. and dispatched a full box assignment (4-engines, 2-ladders, 2-battalion chiefs and a medic unit) at 9:28 p.m. for a derailed train, which would be elevated to a four-alarm response before being placed under control.  Approximately 180 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics were summoned.  The Philadelphia Police Department sent approximately 200 working district officers, who provided scene control and acted as stretcher bearers.

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/

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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, Dr. Gasaway talks with Phil Jose about tactical decision games.

Phil Jose, Deputy Chief, (Ret.), 30 years in Seattle Fire Department. He chaired the SOG and PIA committees.  Chief of the Year 2013.  FDIC Instructor 19 years with the highest attended class in 2023: The Art of Reading Smoke. FDIC 2008 Tom Brennan Training Achievement Award and author of Instructor 1 for Fire and Emergency Services (Clarion, 2022), Air Management for the Fire Service (PennWell, 2008) and Train the Trainer (2015), FE Handbook for FF 1 and 2 (2010); FE “Bread and Butter” video for SCBA (2012). In Addition to The Art of Reading Smoke Phil teaches In the Hot Seat: Tactical Decision Making on the Fireground. 

Tactical Decision Games (TDG’s) are a low-tech, low-cost method of wargaming adapted to tactical decision training. Wargaming has been used to improve the strategic and tactical thinking of armies since at least the 1700’s and likely even before. The Prussian army instituted focused wargames using the colors red and blue for the opponents. The use of wargames spread among professional soldiers quickly as it demonstrated the ability to improve outcomes of war. Wartime leaders can use TDG’s as simple, cost-effective, and repeatable simulated battles to win wars and save lives. This class adapts those same wargaming techniques and introduces fire service trainers to their use.

Modern tactical decision gaming was re-introduced to the Marine Corps using monthly exercises called Tactical Decision Games (TDG’s) printed in the Marine Gazette. The articles laid out a battle scenario with information including maps, mission objectives, and information about the enemy and then posed the problem for readers to submit their response. Anyone, regardless of rank, could develop and submit their battle plan to the Gazette. A selection of responses is then published in the following issue. The format for these TDG’s was done in writing and around the world. This format is also used in person at the squad, company, and battalion level.

In the modern learning environment fire TDG’s can be done across extended learning platforms. This does not mean they must be expensive and complicated. Simple exercises using low-cost, or no-cost development techniques allows the fire service trainer to begin using a Fire Gaming philosophy, through Tactical Decision Gaming in person or across the web.

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/

Phil Jose

Phil@ignitionpointtraining.com

The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused 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, Dr. Gasaway talks with Retired Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy about how he quickly went from being a volunteer firefighter to career fire chief.

Tom DeSorcy joined the fire service in 1983 and became the first paid firefighter in his hometown of Hope, B.C., when he became fire chief in 2000.  This followed a career in broadcasting in local radio and his talk show eventually was heard across Canada, via satellite from Vancouver in the early ‘90s.  Now retired, his voice can be heard on the Firefighting in Canada - The Podcast and he lends his voice in narrating online training.   Tom is married with 2 children, and 2 grandchildren.  He is equally at home at a bonspiel (which for us lay people, is a curling tournament), on the golf course or in the kitchen, and he continues to enjoy his connections to the fire service.

Tom’s story may be unique as he quickly went from serving as a volunteer fire fighter to becoming the fire chief almost.  The town of Hope was surrounded by two regional district electoral areas and each had their own fire department.  When all of these areas were amalgamated into a District Municipality, 3 fire departments existed. 

It became apparent that a single fire department needed to be created and thus a contract fire chief position was offered which Tom accepted the position.  Originally this was supposed to be a 10 month contract however, Tom realized that it could be extended to a permanent position and began to seek out training opportunities to “put himself in a position to accept a job should it be offered”.  That was in 1999.  In 2000 the contract ran out and a permanent position was not being considered.  This is when the existing volunteer chiefs put their pagers on the council table in a mass protest resignation until Tom was hired.

Tom then set out on the journey to create a “modern” fire department from the current social club that existed, all the while battling resistance to change not only from within, but from the community.  This was a struggle to say the least.   It was through various associations and the networking it brought to connect Tom the outside world of firefighting.  He adopted a “Moss and Grass” approach to leadership where he supported positive growth and ignored naysayers that stood in his way.  

Today, he’s come full circle in creating a succession plan where they now have a Fire Chief and Deputy in a progressive and busy department of professional volunteers. 

During this episode we discuss:

The unique demographic of the community of Hope, British Columbia and the challenges it creates for the fire department.

How Tom became the fire chief when the three existing fire chiefs in the community all resigned. 

Tom’s thoughts on the generational changes he’s observed since joining the fire service in 1983.

Tom’s application of his unique “Moss and Grass” leadership.

The role fire associations played in Tom’s personal development journey.

How Tom planned for succession and preparation for retirement.

Tom’s advice for firefighters preparing for retirement.

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.

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