Chapter 16: Command Location Flashcards
Chapter 16: Command Location p207
The author notes that while suggested he did not draw conclusions (based on lack of evidence), on what about the interrelated nests of barriers to situational awareness?
The barriers to forming and maintaining situational awareness are interrelated, one building on another and influencing or exacerbating a barrier.
As an example having tunnel vision after assigning a short staffed crew a high risk assignment, and then becoming anxious, angry, or frustrated about the situation exacerbating the barriers to situational awareness.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p208
The commander’s location can be a barrier of the situational awareness barrier that can influence a variety of other barriers.
Commander location, Street or Seat –
Street – in the action where they can see and hear everything. And talk to responders, supervisor, homeowner etc.
Seat – remove from action to avoid seeing and hearing everything. Want to avoid having their situational awareness impacted by interruptions from face-to-face discussions. Want to call him environment to process information and keep track of what’s happening
Chapter 15: Mental Models p210
Situational barriers that arise from commanding in the streets. 7
Their location exposes them to distractions like:
- Loud noises
- Bright lights
- Moving objects
- Interruption from personnel
- Prone to missing radio communications due to noise
- Weather and lighting can make it difficult to use worksheets and checklist
- Extreme weather conditions
Chapter 15: Mental Models p211-213
Situational barriers that can arise from commanding from the seat. 6/3
- Cues and clues can be messed if no one is serving as the commanders eyes and ears.
- Moving around an incident likely improve the ability to capture and process cues and clues, also opens the door for distractions.
- If no 360 is done
- Location may not be ideal for observing fire ground operations
- Reports to commander may not be complete/accurate
- Engine noise
Advantages
- An environment that protects the commander from distractions and interruptions.
- Improved monitoring of radio traffic/tracking of personnel via command boards/computers.
- Temperature and lighting can be controlled
Chapter 15: Mental Models p213
Which command position is preferable according to the author?
Started off as Street Cmdr. and as he gained experience moved to seat Cmdr.
More positives, less distractions at large incidents have surrogate eyes and ears (operations and safety). Arrive and do 360.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p214
What are the four laws of work interruption?
First law of work interruption:
Interrupted workers make more Mistakes.
Second law of work interruption:
Interrupted workers Missed more clues and cues.
Third law of work interruption:
Interrupted workers take Longer to complete their task
Fourth law of work interruption:
When interrupted, workers likely Lose track of the task being performed prior to the interruption.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p215
What is the reaction of street commanders as the incident becomes more complex (second alarm or Mayday etc.)
They would attempt to limit distractions by either physically backing away from the action or getting inside a vehicle where was quiet. Allowing them to better keep track of events.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p215
Why is it a challenging for Street Cmdr. to know the right time to move back in command from a position remote from the action?
Because it’s hard to see when you’re losing situational awareness, and it may be not until the commanders overwhelmed that they are motivated to change her environment.
As you become overwhelmed with information the brain can start shredding data (you start forgetting), and you may not be remembering the most important details.
You will have time to process the meaning of the clues and cues you are being bombarded with. The new information may be hard to understand without the context of the previous information you forgot.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p216
What are two (three actually) strategies that can help you manage the impact of being overwhelmed with information?
- Writing down the most important information – as you hear or see critical clues/cues write them down. This helps immensely managing cognitive load. And why commanders use worksheets to manage information.
- Use checklist – in a situation where the volume of information is overwhelming it’s easy for you not only forget what happened but also forget what hasn’t been done.
- (Bonus strategy) avoid allowing your attention to be drawn towards objects/events with which you shouldn’t be concerned. – If someone else is responsible for water supply let them be responsible for water supply, stay in your lane. The more attention you give to distractions more vulnerable to overload you are.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p219
What’s an insidious fact about losing situational awareness?
May never know that you’re losing it until it’s too late. In most instances it’s a gradual degradation over a period of time.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p219
What is meta-awareness?
The conscious awareness of your situational awareness. You develop meta-awareness by figuratively stepping outside of yourself and looking at your own level of awareness as if you are a third-party observer/evaluator. You rate yourself.
Meta-awareness is a hallmark of those who can maintain strong situational awareness. They use an internal assessment tool to rate their performance in real time. Determines if situational awareness is strong or weak.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p219
Post-it notes for your brain on how to develop and maintain strong situational awareness: 3
- Ensure your capturing the most important clues/cues.
- Understand the meaning of those clues/cues.
- Make reasonable predictions of future outcomes.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p220
You are in a strong position when you have level III situational awareness, allowing you to predict future events. In casualty reports the reader is able to put together the cues and clues and see the outcome, why didn’t the crews who were experiencing the tragedy?
The more you get distracted or interrupted, the less likely you are to have the cognitive capacity to make accurate future predictions.
Being overloaded/overwhelmed impacts your ability to develop and maintain situational awareness. The clues/cues they missed a were simply unable to process and make sense of.
Chapter 15: Mental Models p220
What is a way to help manage distractions in an interruptions?
Take 100 steps back from the action. Removing yourself/putting distance between yourself and the incident not only helps you physically see the big picture it lessens distractions from noise, lights, people, and activities that can draw your attention and impact your situational awareness.
