B Shifter

Hot Washes, Command Presence, and Leadership Insights

August 05, 2024 Across The Street Productions Season 4 Episode 8

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This episode features Steve Lester, Grant Light and John Vance.

Experience the power of post-incident reviews, or "hot washes," within the firefighting community. This episode sheds light on how these reviews offer a comprehensive understanding of incidents, highlighting effective actions and clarifying questionable decisions. We emphasize the crucial role of positive reinforcement from leadership to boost morale and reinforce good practices. You'll get detailed guidelines for conducting hot washes, including handling defensiveness and ensuring constructive feedback, fostering a productive and positive atmosphere even in tense situations.

Get your Hot Wash Quick Reference Guide here: https://files.constantcontact.com/dcea1db4901/9b8dedf7-92f1-4ce3-b10e-4129995ff31d.pdf?rdr=true

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This episode was recorded on July 30, 2024 in Charlottesville, VA

Steve Lester dives into his fascinating topic, blending competence, confidence, and control with insights from neuroscience. Meanwhile, Grant Light provides a sneak peek into his session on the "Eight Functions of Command for Technical Rescue," emphasizing customized training for various rescue scenarios. As a bonus, we share our love for Charlottesville and encourage you to secure your spot for the upcoming Hazard Zone Conference in Sharonville, Ohio.

Finally, we explore the benefits of immediate debriefings and self-diagnosis after incidents. Discover how real-time learning and self-criticism can occur right at the back of the fire truck, capturing pivotal information without external judgment. We discuss the challenges of conducting these reviews in public or high-tension situations and stress the necessity of formal after-action reviews for significant incidents. Learn effective methods for documenting and disseminating lessons learned, and recognize the role of proactive leadership in driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of learning within fire departments. Through personal stories and practical advice, this episode underscores the impact of effective leadership on team cohesion and operational excellence.