Dr. Gasaway Recipient of International Research Award

Dr. Gasaway Research on Situation Awareness Wins International Research Award

Roseville (MN) Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, was selected as the recipient of the prestigious FIRE/W. L. Gore Research Excellence Award at the 2008 Fire Related Research & Developments Conference held November 12-13 at the British Fire Service College in Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire, England.

The award was based on conference organizers evaluations of 32 research presentation submissions on topics related to fire and emergency services. Gasaway’s research paper and presentation were titled Fireground Command Decision Making: Understanding the Barriers Challenging Commander Situation Awareness. The presentation was based on scientific research Gasaway conducted to help improve the safety of firefighters operating at the scenes of emergencies.

“In light of the exceptional group of talented researchers who presented at this year’s conference, I am incredibly honored to have been selected for this award,” Dr. Gasaway stated. “An award of this stature serves as a vindication that my research has value20to firefighters in America and around the world. Thank you to the Fire Journal and W. L. Gore for their sponsorship and to the panel who selected my work for this recognition.”

Dr. Gasaway is a Firehouse.com contributor and host of The Leader’s Toolbox podcast program. Gasaway is considered to be one of the nation9 9s leading fire service authorities on the topic of fireground situation awareness and fireground command decision making under stress. This research has been adapted into a national firefighter safety program called Fifty Ways to Kill Your Brother©. The research has also been published in a book that is available on his website, http://www.richgasaway.com/. If you would like more information about his research endeavors or to inquire about a program presentation, you can reach Dr. Gasaway at RBG3100@aol.com.

British Fire Service College

Greetings from the British Fire Service College where I am attending and presenting at a research symposium. This is my first trip "across the pond" and it has been very enjoyable. The people are very nice. Many things are different from what I am used to, including the accents, public transportation, prices, cell phone service, time difference... just to name a few. The symposium has been very enlightening as the UK perspective on some things (like firefighter safety) are very different (and often much better). They struggle to understand why so many U.S. firefighters are being killed annually, especially for simple things like not wearing seatbelts. I've been asked that question at least five times. I honestly don't know how to answer it. What could possibly the be viable excuse for not wearing a seatbelt?

It will be interesting to learn the U.K. perspective on my presentation on fireground command decision making. I wonder if some of the problems we face here in the States are universal... or unique. I'm guessing I'll find out tomorrow.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasaway.com