SAMatters Radio

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 (offi...

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 th...

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 (offi...

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 (offi...

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 ap...

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 ap...

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: Follo...

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....

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...

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 Chi...

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 Chi...

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 interve...

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 interve...

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 fin...

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 SAM...

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...

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...

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   612-548-4...

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 (offi...

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 (offi...

On May 22, 2010, John Glaser, a 33-year-old career fire fighter died while conducting a primary search of a residential house fire. Firefighter Glaser vomited in his SCBA face piece and then removed it, causing him to inhale products of combustion. The fire was reported by automatic alarm at 8:55 p.m. Saturday at 13408 W. 75th Court, according to fire officials. When firefighters arrived, they fou...

On May 22, 2010, John Glaser, a 33-year-old career fire fighter died while conducting a primary search of a residential house fire. Firefighter Glaser vomited in his SCBA face piece and then removed it, causing him to inhale products of combustion. The fire was reported by automatic alarm at 8:55 p.m. Saturday at 13408 W. 75th Court, according to fire officials. When firefighters arrived, they fou...

On May 5, 2014 Perry Hall was part of an engine crew conducting a search when he got separated from his crew and accidentally locked in one of the worst places he could be – in a basement stairwell with the fire below him. Perry tells the story of the event and the post-traumatic stress that, literally, changed his life forever.

On May 5, 2014 Perry Hall was part of an engine crew conducting a search when he got separated from his crew and accidentally locked in one of the worst places he could be – in a basement stairwell with the fire below him. Perry tells the story of the event and the post-traumatic stress that, literally, changed his life forever.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, Elyria Fire Captain Joe Pronesti responded to a fire alarm activation call on a college campus. The first arriving engine reported heavy smoke coming from multiple buildings. In search of the source of the smoke, crews would learn the fire was in a tunnel that connected multiple buildings on the campus – A tunnel that Joe would barely make it out of alive.