Emergency response
Under immense pressure, firefighters and other emergency responders must make critical decisions—sometimes quite literally—in the heat of the moment. This comes with significant risks.
After several incidents, the Dutch fire service introduced the principle of "Stop & Think." But what exactly should they be thinking about? At SA Matters, we guide you through this process.
Stop & Think—Not Just During an Incident
Good situational awareness starts long before an incident occurs. In the preparation phase, we must already consider where human limitations play a role.
Simply creating plans and procedures can significantly enhance situational awareness—if done correctly. But is it realistic to expect that, during an emergency (right in the heat of the moment!), everything will go exactly according to plans and procedures? No—especially when we understand the human challenges of making decisions under pressure.
Are the people in your organization aware of their own limitations and barriers? And are there enough tools and methods available to ensure that "Stop & Think" moments are actually applied in practice?
If all you have is a hammer, there’s no point in stopping to think about other tools… It’s time to equip your team with the right tools!
How we can help
Raise awareness of situational awareness
Want to create a safer work environment and prevent incidents? Book a lecture, training, or workshop for your organization’s employees.
We help your organization with...
Raising awareness of human limitations – How much do you really perceive?
Incident evaluations and situational awareness training
Learning to ask the right questions – Essential for strong situational awareness
Creating a safe work environment by understanding each other’s limitations—even outside of emergencies
A deeper dive into "Stop & Think" – A look inside the brain to understand why this matters
Providing guidance on procedures and planning with human limitations in mind
What we offer
Lectures & Presentations
A situational awareness lecture tailored to the event or training day.
30–60 minutes
Workshops
An interactive workshop with relatable examples to gain an initial experience with situational awareness.
Half-day
Training Sessions
An interactive training program guiding participants through the most critical situational awareness limitations. Participants receive a handout summarizing key takeaways.
Half-day, full-day, or multi-day options available
Incident Evaluation
Analyzing and discussing incidents with a focus on situational awareness.
Available upon request
Custom Programs
Want to combine different offerings? For example, a training session after an incident evaluation? That’s possible too.
Available upon request