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 chro...
Nov 24, 2020•49 min•Ep. 348
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 chro...
Nov 17, 2020•41 min•Ep. 347
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 ...
Nov 10, 2020•25 min•Ep. 346
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 ...
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 345
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 fra...
Oct 27, 2020•37 min•Ep. 344
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 operatio...
Oct 20, 2020•49 min•Ep. 343
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 Ri...
Oct 13, 2020•15 min•Ep. 342
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 ...
Oct 06, 2020•51 min•Ep. 341
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 ...
Sep 29, 2020•44 min•Ep. 340
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 found the home burning out of control. Neighbors told firefighters they thought two people and a dog we...
Sep 22, 2020•42 min•Ep. 229
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 found the home burning out of control. Neighbors told firefighters they thought two people and a dog we...
Sep 15, 2020•45 min•Ep. 338
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.
Sep 08, 2020•54 min•Ep. 337
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.
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 336
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.
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 335
Scott Gieselhart served 24 years as a firefighter in Frazee, Minnesota. Along the way, several incidents contributed to Scott developing a Post Traumatic Stress Injury that resulted in him becoming a meth addict and attempting suicide. Then Scott found help and through a treatment known as EMDR, his PTSI was healed and how he serves as a mental health counsellor. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow...
Aug 18, 2020•51 min•Ep. 334
Scott Gieselhart served 24 years as a firefighter in Frazee, Minnesota. Along the way, several incidents contributed to Scott developing a Post Traumatic Stress Injury that resulted in him becoming a meth addict and attempting suicide. Then Scott found help and through a treatment known as EMDR, his PTSI was healed and how he serves as a mental health counsellor. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow...
Aug 11, 2020•40 min•Ep. 333
Throughout his 43-year career, retired fire chief Jim Arie had experienced multiple near-miss events. He’ll discuss a few of them but none were as sobering as the one that occurred in March 2020, when Jim and his wife were held-up at gunpoint in their driveway and their car was stolen. 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...
Aug 04, 2020•39 min•Ep. 332
Throughout his 43-year career, retired fire chief Jim Arie had experienced multiple near-miss events. He’ll discuss a few of them but none were as sobering as the one that occurred in March 2020, when Jim and his wife were held-up at gunpoint in their driveway and their car was stolen. 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...
Jul 28, 2020•41 min•Ep. 331
While there are more than 100 barriers that can flaw situational awareness, this episode focuses on 7 that can be particularly challenging to first responders. 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: Subsc...
Jul 21, 2020•22 min•Ep. 330
You might think that by now the importance of completing a 360-degree size-up would be second nature for firefighters. But it’s not. In fact, failing to complete a proper size-up remains one of the most often cited contributing factors in NIOSH Line-of-Duty death reports. There are lots of reasons why proper size-ups are not completed. Here we will explore 10 of them. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: F...
Jul 14, 2020•12 min•Ep. 329
The pandemic has been tough on everyone, especially first responders who have stepped up to the task. But for many first response agencies, the worst is yet to come as the economic fallout will likely create budget shortfalls that will, in turn, cause fire departments to reduce staffing and services. This show looks at the impact of reduced staffing on safety. www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway ...
Jul 07, 2020•33 min•Ep. 328
Bravado is defined as “a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.” A co-worker or boss displaying bravado can be dangerous because their need to impress or intimidate can cause them to miss critical clues and cues and flaw their situational awareness. 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 SAM...
Jun 30, 2020•11 min•Ep. 327
There are three component parts to situational awareness – perception, understanding and prediction. There are barriers that can impact awareness on all three levels. The application of best practices can help incident commanders reduce the impact of barriers. 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...
Jun 25, 2020•35 min•Ep. 326
The fear of public speaking consistently ranks near the top of the list in fear surveys. This won’t come as a surprise for many. But the consequences of not speaking up can be catastrophic for organizations and for the individual gripped by this fear. This episode explores the fear of public speaking and offers some solutions. 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 Ga...
Jun 16, 2020•26 min•Ep. 325
Misty Worrell and her partner on Cypress Creek EMS responded to a medical call that would result in two fatalities and the EMS crew being exposed to deadly Methyl Bromide. Because there is no cure for Methyl Bromide poisoning, Misty, a mother of five children, was instructed to get her affairs in order as she could be dead within 2 weeks. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Fo...
Jun 09, 2020•33 min•Ep. 324
Misty Worrell and her partner on Cypress Creek EMS responded to a medical call that would result in two fatalities and the EMS crew being exposed to deadly Methyl Bromide. Because there is no cure for Methyl Bromide poisoning, Misty, a mother of five children, was instructed to get her affairs in order as she could be dead within 2 weeks. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Fo...
Jun 02, 2020•40 min•Ep. 323
The mission of the Operational Mindset Foundation is to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare those who choose to place themselves in harm’s way every day for the benefit of others… and give them the opportunity to experience what safe feels like when they return home. 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: Subscrib...
May 26, 2020•32 min•Ep. 322
Situational awareness barriers block a worker’s ability to perceive, understand or predict. I have uncovered and researched more than a hundred barriers to awareness. This episode talks about two of the barriers – sensory conflict and mind drift. We also briefly discuss the process for predicting future events. 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:...
May 19, 2020•53 min•Ep. 321
In the early morning hours of January 17, 2016, Chesterfield County Fire & EMS responded to a residential fire on Wicklow Lane that would result in fire civilian fire fatalities, including 2 children. This three-part interview chronicles the event, the situational awareness challenges and the lessons learned from the first-in captain and the first arriving battalion chief. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters Li...
May 12, 2020•41 min•Ep. 320
In the early morning hours of January 17, 2016, Chesterfield County Fire & EMS responded to a residential fire on Wicklow Lane that would result in fire civilian fire fatalities, including 2 children. This three-part interview chronicles the event, the situational awareness challenges and the lessons learned from the first-in captain and the first arriving battalion chief. Contact Us www.SAMatters.com www.RichGasaway.com 612-548-4424 (office) Let’s Get connected Facebook: Follow SAMatters Li...
May 05, 2020•50 min•Ep. 319
