Dr. Richard B. Gasaway answers a question from a podcast listener whose department has faced budget cuts and asks members to do with less.
The listener says the department has cut staffing, causing a reduction in resources for structure fire responses. The listener asks how the firefighter can carry out the duties of those who have cut from the response, while still operating efficiently and effectively.
Gasaway talks looks at the issue from the psychological aspect of losing co-workers and the feeling that the bosses don't care. He also shares his experiences on how firefighter's can still operate effectively and accomplish the necessary tasks.
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About the Author
Richard Gasaway
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP is an authority on human factors, situational awareness and the high-risk decision-making processes that are used in high-stress, high-consequence work environments. He served 33 years as a firefighter, EMT-paramedic, company officer, training officer, fire chief and emergency incident commander. Gasaway's doctoral research included the study of cognitive neuroscience to understand how human factors flaw situational awareness and affect high-risk decision-making. He authored six books, and his contributions on situational awareness and decision-making are featured and referenced in more than 400 publications. Gasaway's training programs have been delivered to more than 88,000 students.