The Leader's Toolbox: Firefighters with Attention Deficit Disorder & Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
This month on The Leader's Toolbox, Dr. Richard B. Gasaway talks with two psychologists, a firefighter and a fire chief about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Chief Gasaway tells of a firefighter he worked with who exhibited several common "symptoms" of ADD and how it affected this firefighters working relationship with others in the station.
Roseville, MN, Firefighter Neil Sjostrom shares his expereicnes with ADD and Williamsport, MD, Fire Chief William Ball talks about the effects of ADHD and while working in a team enviornment.
Psychologists Gary Fischler and April Leaveck, with Minnesota-based Gary Fischler & Associates, describe some behaviors that firefighters might display and their coworkers might observe.
The group disucssed the best means to have everyone involved working on the same page and how instruction and discipline can be effected by ADD and ADHD members of the fire service.
Please send any questions or comments to: [email protected].
Related Links
• Gary L. Fischler & Associates
• RichGasaway.com
iPod Compatible:
• iTunes - Subscribe to Podcast Free Here
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.