Michael Barakey

FDIC 2025 Preview: Six Steps to Becoming a Critical Decision Maker

This workshop with Michael Barakey will review decision making that occurred on large-scale incidents.
1 min read

Talkin’ Tactics: Decision Making for On-the-Job Confidence and Effectiveness

David Polikoff and RJ talk with guest Mike Burkett about ways to prepare to be a good officer and the art of making good decisions.
1 min read
Indianapolis firefighters on the fireground

Thinking Firefighters: The Theory Behind the Action

Although firefighting is a hands-on discipline, firefighters can benefit from having a theoretical framework for it. Brian Carr on how officers can help encourage thinking…
9 min read
Suffolk firefighters respond to house fire

Adopting a Know Before You Go Mentality for Fire Attack

Jack J. Murphy discusses how preplanning has evolved over the decades in the fire service and where firefighters need to go next.
3 min read
Dennis Reilly

Preplanning VES Operations: It’s All About the Details

Dennis Reilly provides suggestions on decisions fire departments can make before firefighters arrive on scene where they need to perform vent-enter-search.
11 min read
Caol Mine Lane after fire

A Philosophy of Science for the Fire Service

After a fatal fire, Marc Coenen sought to better understand how mental shortcuts can impact firefighters' decision-making process.
29 min read
Fire shows from a building

Ventilation Deconstructed: A Framework for Decision Making

Nick Papa relates the "ventilation rules of 3s" and discusses the implications of tempo when it comes to structural firefighting operations.
13 min read