Home Podcasts SAMatters Radio
SAMatters Radio

SAMatters Radio

Dr. Richard B. Gasaway 412 Episodes Sep 16, 2025

SAMatters Radio, hosted by Dr. Richard B. Gasaway, focuses on improving situational awareness and decision-making under stress. The show's mission is to help listeners recognize warning signs and avoid dangerous outcomes by understanding human factors. It features interviews with first responders who have survived near-miss incidents, sharing their experiences and lessons learned. The podcast aims to educate on safety and prevention in high-pressure environments.

Episodes

Mike Richardson Interview - Episode 409
Mike Richardson Interview - Episode 409 Sep 16, 2025 01:06:42 In this episode, we introduce our viewers and listeners to Mike Richardson, our newest SAMatters Certified Master Instructor. Mike Richardson is a 39-year veteran of the military and the fire service. He served 28 years as a Firefighter, Company Officer, and Chief Officer with fire departments in New York, Florida and Kentucky. He most recently served as a Line-of-Duty Death Investigator for the
Forging Your Team – The Johnny Torgeson Story – 408
Forging Your Team – The Johnny Torgeson Story – 408 Mar 26, 2024 01:05:54 The fire service is struggling with recruiting and retention. It's also challenged by a mental health crisis and a growing apathy within the profession. The good news is, we have the power to fix it. Working in a team environment provides job satisfaction, psychological safety, and a feeling of community. Fire service leaders have the responsibility of developing teams; so, Dr. JT wrote a book on
Accelerating Leadership Growth and Impact – The Sean Glaze Interview – 407
Accelerating Leadership Growth and Impact – The Sean Glaze Interview – 407 Mar 19, 2024 44:24 In this episode, Dr. Gasaway discusses how to accelerating leadership growth and impact with Sean Glaze, author of Rapid Teamwork, The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates, and Staying Coachable.  Sean Glaze is a leadership speaker, teambuilding facilitator, and author who delivers engaging experiences that ignite your team's performance.  Sean has worked with clients like Cisco, John Deere, the
The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance – 406
The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance – 406 Feb 13, 2024 58:08 In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Dill about the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance and their work to reduce firefighter suicides.   In 2010, Jeff Dill founded Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA).  And since 2021, Jeff has served full time as the Behavioral Health Administrator for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue in Nevada.   Jeff travels the United States & Canada holding works
The Minnesota Hometown Heroes Assistance Program - 405
The Minnesota Hometown Heroes Assistance Program - 405 Feb 6, 2024 54:03 In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with George Esbensen, President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.   During his 32 years in the fire service, George Esbensen served in many roles, from firefighter to chief. Today, he volunteers as Board President of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), an advocacy nonprofit he co-founded in
PFAS, Firefighter Cancer and The Foam Exposure Committee - 404
PFAS, Firefighter Cancer and The Foam Exposure Committee - 404 Jan 30, 2024 01:04:16 In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Vicki Quint and Rick Nickerson about PFAS, foam exposure and the risk to firefighters.   The Foam Exposure Committee Mission Statement - - To reduce firefighter / first responder exposures to perfluorinated chemicals used in firefighting foams in order to protect their health and lives. We will recommend a list of firefighting products for fire departments
The NIOSH 5 and Leadership – The Jeff Snider Interview – 403
The NIOSH 5 and Leadership – The Jeff Snider Interview – 403 Jan 23, 2024 01:01:30 In this interview, Dr. Gasaway talks with Jeff Snider about the NIOSH 5 – or the five most often cited contributing factors in Line of Duty death investigations and lessons for leaders.   Jeff Snider has served with the Canadian military as a Special Forces Operator (3 CDO), a Correctional Officer at a maximum-security facility, and 28 years in the Fire Service, serving in the positions of Firefig
Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 2 – 402
Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 2 – 402 Jan 16, 2024 57:59   On January 06, 2018, Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, a 42-year-old male and 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD), died after becoming trapped from an interior structural collapse while engaged in interior firefighting operations.  Two additional firefighters were injured during the collapse and one civilian occupant of the dwelling, who was removed during initial operations, also di
Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 1 – 401
Conducting a LODD After Action Review: Part 1 – 401 Jan 9, 2024 01:05:09 This episode is part 1 of a 2-part interview where Dr. Gasaway talks with retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief Vince Mulray and Battalion Chief Bobby Kennedy about conducting a Line-of-Duty After Action Review following the death of Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau on January 6, 2018.   After Action Review-Line of Duty Death   On January 06, 2018, Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, (LeTurnO) a 42-year-old male and
The 400th Episode Anniversary of the SAMatters Show - 400
The 400th Episode Anniversary of the SAMatters Show - 400 Jan 2, 2024 38:46 Dr. Gasaway, along with some special guests, celebrates the milestone of reaching our 400thepisode.     Description   The Situational Awareness Matters Show debuted on May 12, 2014.  This episode highlights the journey Dr. Gasaway has taken to educate first responders about situational awareness and high-risk decision making.     About the Host Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP is widely considered a
2015 Amtrak Passenger Train Derailment in Philadelphia - 399
2015 Amtrak Passenger Train Derailment in Philadelphia - 399 Dec 19, 2023 01:20:28 In this episode, Dr. Gasaway interviews Vince Mulray, retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief, discussing the 2015 derailment of Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington DC to New York City.   On May 12, 2015, at approximately 9:20pm, Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington D.C. to New York City derailed and crashed on the Frankford Junction curve on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.  All seven cars a
Tactical Decision Games – An Interview with Phil Jose - 398
Tactical Decision Games – An Interview with Phil Jose - 398 Dec 12, 2023 01:05:12 In this episode, Dr. Gasaway talks with Phil Jose about tactical decision games.   Phil Jose, Deputy Chief, (Ret.), 30 years in Seattle Fire Department. He chaired the SOG and PIA committees.  Chief of the Year 2013.  FDIC Instructor 19 years with the highest attended class in 2023: The Art of Reading Smoke. FDIC 2008 Tom Brennan Training Achievement Award and author of Instructor 1 for Fire and E

Recommended