[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
when you think about a firefighter what
when you think about a firefighter what do they look like that most of you are
do they look like that most of you are
do they look like that most of you are thinking of someone a bit like this
those of you with experience might be
those of you with experience might be thinking of someone more like this but I
thinking of someone more like this but I
thinking of someone more like this but I doubt very much you’d be thinking of
doubt very much you’d be thinking of
doubt very much you’d be thinking of someone who looks like me I became a
someone who looks like me I became a
someone who looks like me I became a firefighter when I was 18 here in
firefighter when I was 18 here in
firefighter when I was 18 here in Cardiff and now with 17 years of
Cardiff and now with 17 years of
Cardiff and now with 17 years of operational service I’m a Deputy
operational service I’m a Deputy
operational service I’m a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London Fire
Assistant Commissioner in London Fire
Assistant Commissioner in London Fire Brigade now I might not look like a
Brigade now I might not look like a
Brigade now I might not look like a traditional firefighter and to be honest
traditional firefighter and to be honest
traditional firefighter and to be honest I’ve had to push back against those
I’ve had to push back against those
I’ve had to push back against those stereotypes for my entire career but in
stereotypes for my entire career but in
stereotypes for my entire career but in a way the freedom to be different I mean
a way the freedom to be different I mean
a way the freedom to be different I mean really different has been incredibly
really different has been incredibly
really different has been incredibly empowering because when you’re free to
empowering because when you’re free to
empowering because when you’re free to be different
be different
be different you’re free to define new boundaries and
you’re free to define new boundaries and
you’re free to define new boundaries and define your own boundaries and I drew
define your own boundaries and I drew
define your own boundaries and I drew these boundaries around keeping
these boundaries around keeping
these boundaries around keeping firefighters safe now I want you to hear
firefighters safe now I want you to hear
firefighters safe now I want you to hear my minute I want you to close your eyes
my minute I want you to close your eyes
my minute I want you to close your eyes don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold
don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold
don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just
hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just
hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just close your eyes and think about your
close your eyes and think about your
close your eyes and think about your home now imagine coming home after a
home now imagine coming home after a
home now imagine coming home after a long day imagine the faces of the people
long day imagine the faces of the people
long day imagine the faces of the people you love greeting you at the door now
you love greeting you at the door now
you love greeting you at the door now step inside into your home look at the
step inside into your home look at the
step inside into your home look at the pictures on the wall everywhere you look
pictures on the wall everywhere you look
pictures on the wall everywhere you look there’s memories the spot where the kids
there’s memories the spot where the kids
there’s memories the spot where the kids took their first steps spot with granny
took their first steps spot with granny
took their first steps spot with granny sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot
sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot
sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot where the old dog sits on the sofa when
where the old dog sits on the sofa when
where the old dog sits on the sofa when he used to be a little puppy but it’s
he used to be a little puppy but it’s
he used to be a little puppy but it’s not just a house or a flat or a room
not just a house or a flat or a room
not just a house or a flat or a room it’s your home okay you can open your
it’s your home okay you can open your
it’s your home okay you can open your eyes now this this is my home where at
eyes now this this is my home where at
eyes now this this is my home where at least it’s what my little girl think
least it’s what my little girl think
least it’s what my little girl think home looks like and it’s packed with
home looks like and it’s packed with
home looks like and it’s packed with stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too
stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too
stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too sentimental to throw away when you put
sentimental to throw away when you put
sentimental to throw away when you put all those things together along with the
all those things together along with the
all those things together along with the memories attached to them then it
memories attached to them then it
memories attached to them then it becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of
becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of
becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of versions of this throughout my career
versions of this throughout my career
versions of this throughout my career one minute it’s there your home your
one minute it’s there your home your
one minute it’s there your home your memories your life the next minute it’s
memories your life the next minute it’s
memories your life the next minute it’s all gone all gone like that now I want
all gone all gone like that now I want
all gone all gone like that now I want you to picture yourself standing on the
you to picture yourself standing on the
you to picture yourself standing on the side of the road in the middle of the
side of the road in the middle of the
side of the road in the middle of the night watching and disbelief as those
night watching and disbelief as those
night watching and disbelief as those flames ripped through that home that
flames ripped through that home that
flames ripped through that home that you’ve just been picturing through
you’ve just been picturing through
you’ve just been picturing through everything you have and love imagine
everything you have and love imagine
everything you have and love imagine someone you loved stood next in so
someone you loved stood next in so
someone you loved stood next in so you’re both wrapped up in blankets as
you’re both wrapped up in blankets as
you’re both wrapped up in blankets as that acrid smoke swirls around you
that acrid smoke swirls around you
that acrid smoke swirls around you imagine their faces now imagine the dump
imagine their faces now imagine the dump
imagine their faces now imagine the dump color of your pajama shirt as it sticks
color of your pajama shirt as it sticks
color of your pajama shirt as it sticks to your neck as the tears roll down your
to your neck as the tears roll down your
to your neck as the tears roll down your face the pavements cold against your
face the pavements cold against your
face the pavements cold against your bare feet but still at least you got out
bare feet but still at least you got out
bare feet but still at least you got out some people ants are lucky in fact more
some people ants are lucky in fact more
some people ants are lucky in fact more than nine thousand people a year are
than nine thousand people a year are
than nine thousand people a year are trapped inside fires that’s the
trapped inside fires that’s the
trapped inside fires that’s the equivalent to the population of st. Ives
equivalent to the population of st. Ives
equivalent to the population of st. Ives now I want you to imagine you here this
now I want you to imagine you here this
now I want you to imagine you here this is what you say is burning hot you try
is what you say is burning hot you try
is what you say is burning hot you try and breathe but you choke on the thick
and breathe but you choke on the thick
and breathe but you choke on the thick black smoke you try and shout for help
black smoke you try and shout for help
black smoke you try and shout for help but you cough and splutter
but you cough and splutter
but you cough and splutter the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to
the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to
the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to the back of your teeth it’s roaring
the back of your teeth it’s roaring
the back of your teeth it’s roaring flames they’re definitely but you just
flames they’re definitely but you just
flames they’re definitely but you just make out the sound of someone you love
make out the sound of someone you love
make out the sound of someone you love outside the house as they’re screaming
outside the house as they’re screaming
outside the house as they’re screaming your name desperate to reach you
your name desperate to reach you
your name desperate to reach you desperate for some sign that you’re
desperate for some sign that you’re
desperate for some sign that you’re alive and you know what they’re thinking
alive and you know what they’re thinking
alive and you know what they’re thinking because to be honest it’s what you’re
because to be honest it’s what you’re
because to be honest it’s what you’re thinking – what if we’ve seen my last
thinking – what if we’ve seen my last
thinking – what if we’ve seen my last birthday together or if we last left our
birthday together or if we last left our
birthday together or if we last left our last laugh together
last laugh together
last laugh together what if our last memory together has
what if our last memory together has
what if our last memory together has already been made in one word how do you
already been made in one word how do you
already been made in one word how do you think you’d feel right now terrified
think you’d feel right now terrified
think you’d feel right now terrified hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are
hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are
hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are on their way to you in fact around
on their way to you in fact around
on their way to you in fact around 700,000 times every year people in the
700,000 times every year people in the
700,000 times every year people in the UK ask firefighters to help them they
UK ask firefighters to help them they
UK ask firefighters to help them they ask to be rescued to be reunited with
ask to be rescued to be reunited with
ask to be rescued to be reunited with their loved ones the person trapped
their loved ones the person trapped
their loved ones the person trapped inside that burning building or in the
inside that burning building or in the
inside that burning building or in the crumpled up car or drowning in a lake
crumpled up car or drowning in a lake
crumpled up car or drowning in a lake they asked to be helped so we rely on
they asked to be helped so we rely on
they asked to be helped so we rely on our firefighters to go into situations
our firefighters to go into situations
our firefighters to go into situations that I thought was danger that are
that I thought was danger that are
that I thought was danger that are dangerous enough to kill and that’s a
dangerous enough to kill and that’s a
dangerous enough to kill and that’s a big responsibility and it’s commanders
big responsibility and it’s commanders
big responsibility and it’s commanders like me who are in a privileged position
like me who are in a privileged position
like me who are in a privileged position to be trusted by firefighters to pull it
to be trusted by firefighters to pull it
to be trusted by firefighters to pull it all together to know what to do to make
all together to know what to do to make
all together to know what to do to make sure the right people are in the right
sure the right people are in the right
sure the right people are in the right place
place
place right time to save a life now of the
right time to save a life now of the
right time to save a life now of the people trapped in fires last year there
people trapped in fires last year there
people trapped in fires last year there are exactly nine thousand one hundred
are exactly nine thousand one hundred
are exactly nine thousand one hundred two hundred and sixteen of those people
two hundred and sixteen of those people
two hundred and sixteen of those people we rescued exactly eight thousand eight
we rescued exactly eight thousand eight
we rescued exactly eight thousand eight hundred and ninety of them and one thing
hundred and ninety of them and one thing
hundred and ninety of them and one thing that all firefighters have in common
that all firefighters have in common
that all firefighters have in common regardless of shape or size is for those
regardless of shape or size is for those
regardless of shape or size is for those people we rescued we were the last thing
people we rescued we were the last thing
people we rescued we were the last thing standing between a dying breath and
standing between a dying breath and
standing between a dying breath and another day we came to symbolize hope
another day we came to symbolize hope
another day we came to symbolize hope relief and a way out
relief and a way out
relief and a way out and we’re always aware have been harab
and we’re always aware have been harab
and we’re always aware have been harab risks of our job we know that it’s
risks of our job we know that it’s
risks of our job we know that it’s dangerous we know that sometimes it
dangerous we know that sometimes it
dangerous we know that sometimes it won’t only be your lives at risk but ask
won’t only be your lives at risk but ask
won’t only be your lives at risk but ask – so what drives us to run in when
– so what drives us to run in when
– so what drives us to run in when you’re running out well we’ve seen
you’re running out well we’ve seen
you’re running out well we’ve seen people who are loved who are echoes of
people who are loved who are echoes of
people who are loved who are echoes of ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the
ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the
ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the fear and grief and loss in their eyes in
fear and grief and loss in their eyes in
fear and grief and loss in their eyes in real time and that’s what pushes us
real time and that’s what pushes us
real time and that’s what pushes us through the heat and smoke and darkness
through the heat and smoke and darkness
through the heat and smoke and darkness and we can’t always promise a way out
and we can’t always promise a way out
and we can’t always promise a way out but where there is one we promise we’ll
but where there is one we promise we’ll
but where there is one we promise we’ll do everything we can to help you find it
do everything we can to help you find it
do everything we can to help you find it even when keeping that promise comes at
even when keeping that promise comes at
even when keeping that promise comes at a price even when it means risking our
a price even when it means risking our
a price even when it means risking our own safety because firefighters want to
own safety because firefighters want to
own safety because firefighters want to protect you that’s their job I want to
protect you that’s their job I want to
protect you that’s their job I want to protect firefighters so they can protect
protect firefighters so they can protect
protect firefighters so they can protect you that’s my job now years of
you that’s my job now years of
you that’s my job now years of experience and a few close calls have
experience and a few close calls have
experience and a few close calls have taught me we’re not invincible we have
taught me we’re not invincible we have
taught me we’re not invincible we have the same fears of flaws as the people
the same fears of flaws as the people
the same fears of flaws as the people who rescue the same human instinct that
who rescue the same human instinct that
who rescue the same human instinct that drives us to push through the most
drives us to push through the most
drives us to push through the most unforgiving of circumstances and the
unforgiving of circumstances and the
unforgiving of circumstances and the same human limitations and you know what
same human limitations and you know what
same human limitations and you know what sometimes we get hurt last year two
sometimes we get hurt last year two
sometimes we get hurt last year two thousand five hundred and sixteen
thousand five hundred and sixteen
thousand five hundred and sixteen firefighters were injured during the
firefighters were injured during the
firefighters were injured during the course of their duty in England alone
course of their duty in England alone
course of their duty in England alone that’s enough firefighters to fill 32
that’s enough firefighters to fill 32
that’s enough firefighters to fill 32 double-decker buses 130 of them suffered
double-decker buses 130 of them suffered
double-decker buses 130 of them suffered major injuries first time I saw a
major injuries first time I saw a
major injuries first time I saw a colleague injured was at one particular
colleague injured was at one particular
colleague injured was at one particular fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago
fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago
fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago that incident would go on to drive a
that incident would go on to drive a
that incident would go on to drive a hugely significant piece of research
hugely significant piece of research
hugely significant piece of research aimed at driving firefighter safety this
aimed at driving firefighter safety this
aimed at driving firefighter safety this is my husband Mike and our daughter
is my husband Mike and our daughter
is my husband Mike and our daughter Gabriella
Gabriella
Gabriella now before we were married we were both
now before we were married we were both
now before we were married we were both firefighters together on neighboring
firefighters together on neighboring
firefighters together on neighboring stations one day I was part of a crew
stations one day I was part of a crew
stations one day I was part of a crew that was called to an incident where a
that was called to an incident where a
that was called to an incident where a firefighter had been severely burned
firefighter had been severely burned
firefighter had been severely burned that incident only involved one fire
that incident only involved one fire
that incident only involved one fire engine and
engine and
engine and I knew Mike was on it there was a
I knew Mike was on it there was a
I knew Mike was on it there was a one-in-four chance it was him I can
one-in-four chance it was him I can
one-in-four chance it was him I can remember walking into the appliance base
remember walking into the appliance base
remember walking into the appliance base I heard the bells ring and a couple of
I heard the bells ring and a couple of
I heard the bells ring and a couple of the guys were ready at the teleprinter
the guys were ready at the teleprinter
the guys were ready at the teleprinter and they were all kind of huddled around
and they were all kind of huddled around
and they were all kind of huddled around this at the paper and I could just tell
this at the paper and I could just tell
this at the paper and I could just tell by their faces that something wasn’t
by their faces that something wasn’t
by their faces that something wasn’t right they told me what it was as I
right they told me what it was as I
right they told me what it was as I pulled on my boots and yanked the braces
pulled on my boots and yanked the braces
pulled on my boots and yanked the braces up over my shoulders and as I reached
up over my shoulders and as I reached
up over my shoulders and as I reached for my jacket and put my arm into the
for my jacket and put my arm into the
for my jacket and put my arm into the sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices
sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices
sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt
but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt
but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt completely detached like you’re in a
completely detached like you’re in a
completely detached like you’re in a film and the camera pans all around you
film and the camera pans all around you
film and the camera pans all around you I can remember thinking to myself I
I can remember thinking to myself I
I can remember thinking to myself I might be about to become one of those
might be about to become one of those
might be about to become one of those people we see every day who wake up to
people we see every day who wake up to
people we see every day who wake up to corn flakes and normality only for their
corn flakes and normality only for their
corn flakes and normality only for their entire world to be ripped apart the
entire world to be ripped apart the
entire world to be ripped apart the journey there was the longest
journey there was the longest
journey there was the longest four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I
four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I
four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I could think about was Mike is it him was
could think about was Mike is it him was
could think about was Mike is it him was he hurt was he afraid it was literally
he hurt was he afraid it was literally
he hurt was he afraid it was literally all I could think about I was torn
all I could think about I was torn
all I could think about I was torn between the role of a loved one and the
between the role of a loved one and the
between the role of a loved one and the role of a responder anyway we pulled up
role of a responder anyway we pulled up
role of a responder anyway we pulled up when I jumped off the truck and I could
when I jumped off the truck and I could
when I jumped off the truck and I could see this pair of legs sticking out from
see this pair of legs sticking out from
see this pair of legs sticking out from a huddle of firefighters with kind of
a huddle of firefighters with kind of
a huddle of firefighters with kind of dirty patches on the knees and all I
dirty patches on the knees and all I
dirty patches on the knees and all I could hear was someone groaning like
could hear was someone groaning like
could hear was someone groaning like they were in pain and then I think
they were in pain and then I think
they were in pain and then I think honestly I was about to throw up when I
honestly I was about to throw up when I
honestly I was about to throw up when I saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and
saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and
saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and I felt this overwhelming sense of relief
I felt this overwhelming sense of relief
I felt this overwhelming sense of relief I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran
I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran
I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran towards the crowd with a medicate and an
towards the crowd with a medicate and an
towards the crowd with a medicate and an oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my
oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my
oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to
hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to
hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to stop myself from crying that I still got
stop myself from crying that I still got
stop myself from crying that I still got a scar inside there to this day
a scar inside there to this day
a scar inside there to this day but then I did what firefighters
but then I did what firefighters
but then I did what firefighters supposed to do I joined my crew and we
supposed to do I joined my crew and we
supposed to do I joined my crew and we dealt with the scene now that incident
dealt with the scene now that incident
dealt with the scene now that incident was so challenging and in a sense I was
was so challenging and in a sense I was
was so challenging and in a sense I was really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt
really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt
really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt but someone else was and for a long time
but someone else was and for a long time
but someone else was and for a long time that incident played on my mind and I
that incident played on my mind and I
that incident played on my mind and I had a huge sense of guilt that I carried
had a huge sense of guilt that I carried
had a huge sense of guilt that I carried for a very very long time because I’d
for a very very long time because I’d
for a very very long time because I’d felt relief on another man who we
felt relief on another man who we
felt relief on another man who we considered to be our friend as well as
considered to be our friend as well as
considered to be our friend as well as our colleague had been so badly injured
our colleague had been so badly injured
our colleague had been so badly injured for the entire journey there I’d crossed
for the entire journey there I’d crossed
for the entire journey there I’d crossed my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by
my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by
my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d
not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d
not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d wished it on someone else
wished it on someone else
wished it on someone else so someone else’s family had that phone
so someone else’s family had that phone
so someone else’s family had that phone call rushed to the hospital lived
call rushed to the hospital lived
call rushed to the hospital lived through the months of recovery the tears
through the months of recovery the tears
through the months of recovery the tears the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a
the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a
the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a life Mike avoided it has to die but
life Mike avoided it has to die but
life Mike avoided it has to die but someone else didn’t which brings me to
someone else didn’t which brings me to
someone else didn’t which brings me to an important question who is responsible
an important question who is responsible
an important question who is responsible for keeping firefighters safe who is
for keeping firefighters safe who is
for keeping firefighters safe who is responsible for preventing incidents
responsible for preventing incidents
responsible for preventing incidents like the one I just described whose job
like the one I just described whose job
like the one I just described whose job is it to prioritize firefighter safety
is it to prioritize firefighter safety
is it to prioritize firefighter safety so they can prioritize yours
so they can prioritize yours
so they can prioritize yours interestingly 80% of firefighter
interestingly 80% of firefighter
interestingly 80% of firefighter injuries are caused by human error
injuries are caused by human error
injuries are caused by human error though that’s the equivalent to 25 of
though that’s the equivalent to 25 of
though that’s the equivalent to 25 of those double-decker buses those injuries
those double-decker buses those injuries
those double-decker buses those injuries 80% of them think about it 80% of them
80% of them think about it 80% of them
80% of them think about it 80% of them are caused not by a failure of a piece
are caused not by a failure of a piece
are caused not by a failure of a piece of equipment or by an inadequate policy
of equipment or by an inadequate policy
of equipment or by an inadequate policy or a flawed procedure but by a human
or a flawed procedure but by a human
or a flawed procedure but by a human mistake those injuries so many of them
mistake those injuries so many of them
mistake those injuries so many of them caused by a failure to process
caused by a failure to process
caused by a failure to process information properly were misjudged
information properly were misjudged
information properly were misjudged decision the wrong choice in the wrong
decision the wrong choice in the wrong
decision the wrong choice in the wrong place at the wrong time and real people
place at the wrong time and real people
place at the wrong time and real people were getting hurt as a result that was
were getting hurt as a result that was
were getting hurt as a result that was incredible now don’t get me wrong human
incredible now don’t get me wrong human
incredible now don’t get me wrong human error is not necessarily a reflection on
error is not necessarily a reflection on
error is not necessarily a reflection on an individual’s ability sometimes it
an individual’s ability sometimes it
an individual’s ability sometimes it reflects the circumstances or just the
reflects the circumstances or just the
reflects the circumstances or just the fundamental limitations of being human
fundamental limitations of being human
fundamental limitations of being human from what causes human error in the fire
from what causes human error in the fire
from what causes human error in the fire service what affects our ability to make
service what affects our ability to make
service what affects our ability to make effective decisions when we’re working
effective decisions when we’re working
effective decisions when we’re working in high pressured highly stressful
in high pressured highly stressful
in high pressured highly stressful situations and how do we improve our
situations and how do we improve our
situations and how do we improve our chances of doing exactly that
chances of doing exactly that
chances of doing exactly that well the key word here is human you have
well the key word here is human you have
well the key word here is human you have to understand the boundaries of being
to understand the boundaries of being
to understand the boundaries of being human in order to push the boundaries of
human in order to push the boundaries of
human in order to push the boundaries of being human now I started exploring this
being human now I started exploring this
being human now I started exploring this and it became painfully obvious that
and it became painfully obvious that
and it became painfully obvious that there’d been very little work done with
there’d been very little work done with
there’d been very little work done with fire
fire
fire we were woefully behind other high-risk
we were woefully behind other high-risk
we were woefully behind other high-risk industries like medicine and aviation
industries like medicine and aviation
industries like medicine and aviation who’d been working to reduce human error
who’d been working to reduce human error
who’d been working to reduce human error for decades and I knew this was
for decades and I knew this was
for decades and I knew this was important and I wasn’t going to just sit
important and I wasn’t going to just sit
important and I wasn’t going to just sit on the sidelines waiting for someone
on the sidelines waiting for someone
on the sidelines waiting for someone else to fix things so I decided to plow
else to fix things so I decided to plow
else to fix things so I decided to plow my own furrow
my own furrow
my own furrow but this wasn’t straightforward when I
but this wasn’t straightforward when I
but this wasn’t straightforward when I was 15 I
was 15 I
was 15 I was homeless I did my GCSEs my final
was homeless I did my GCSEs my final
was homeless I did my GCSEs my final exams while I was sleeping rough and I
exams while I was sleeping rough and I
exams while I was sleeping rough and I saw the big issue for about another two
saw the big issue for about another two
saw the big issue for about another two years only just enough for something to
years only just enough for something to
years only just enough for something to eat each day so continuing with my
eat each day so continuing with my
eat each day so continuing with my education wasn’t a luxury that I could
education wasn’t a luxury that I could
education wasn’t a luxury that I could afford then I joined the fire service
afford then I joined the fire service
afford then I joined the fire service when I was 18 so by the time the time
when I was 18 so by the time the time
when I was 18 so by the time the time came when I wanted to make a meaningful
came when I wanted to make a meaningful
came when I wanted to make a meaningful contribution I didn’t have the right
contribution I didn’t have the right
contribution I didn’t have the right qualifications to make a difference or
qualifications to make a difference or
qualifications to make a difference or at least not at first so I sucked it up
at least not at first so I sucked it up
at least not at first so I sucked it up I put one foot in front of the other and
I put one foot in front of the other and
I put one foot in front of the other and I got on with it I started off by doing
I got on with it I started off by doing
I got on with it I started off by doing a psychology degree with the Open
a psychology degree with the Open
a psychology degree with the Open University I specialized in behavioral
University I specialized in behavioral
University I specialized in behavioral neuroscience eventually completing a PhD
neuroscience eventually completing a PhD
neuroscience eventually completing a PhD at Cardiff University or part-time or
at Cardiff University or part-time or
at Cardiff University or part-time or while I was still serving full-time now
while I was still serving full-time now
while I was still serving full-time now that was hard work I was very hard work
that was hard work I was very hard work
that was hard work I was very hard work especially because I had any one baby
especially because I had any one baby
especially because I had any one baby somewhere along the way but I was just
somewhere along the way but I was just
somewhere along the way but I was just determined to bridge that gap between
determined to bridge that gap between
determined to bridge that gap between the academic and the practical so I
the academic and the practical so I
the academic and the practical so I wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten
wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten
wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten what I wanted to look at what queues are
what I wanted to look at what queues are
what I wanted to look at what queues are decisions and the circumstances that
decisions and the circumstances that
decisions and the circumstances that affect them so for nearly the past
affect them so for nearly the past
affect them so for nearly the past decade now I’ve been working with a
decade now I’ve been working with a
decade now I’ve been working with a research group at Cardiff University
research group at Cardiff University
research group at Cardiff University where we’ve been painstakingly examining
where we’ve been painstakingly examining
where we’ve been painstakingly examining the decisions that insolent commanders
the decisions that insolent commanders
the decisions that insolent commanders are making all over the country not in a
are making all over the country not in a
are making all over the country not in a lab but in the field at real-life
lab but in the field at real-life
lab but in the field at real-life incidents life-saving decisions now
incidents life-saving decisions now
incidents life-saving decisions now we’ve worked in the field
we’ve worked in the field
we’ve worked in the field we pulled people’s brains or parts using
we pulled people’s brains or parts using
we pulled people’s brains or parts using virtual reality we replicated it all on
virtual reality we replicated it all on
virtual reality we replicated it all on a training ground and even burned down
a training ground and even burned down
a training ground and even burned down some old buildings in the name of
some old buildings in the name of
some old buildings in the name of science I’ve broken a few things along
science I’ve broken a few things along
science I’ve broken a few things along the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s
the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s
the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s decisions and piece them back together
decisions and piece them back together
decisions and piece them back together again only better
again only better
again only better and what we now know is this most of the
and what we now know is this most of the
and what we now know is this most of the decisions that people make at incidents
decisions that people make at incidents
decisions that people make at incidents are intuitive decisions not reflective
are intuitive decisions not reflective
are intuitive decisions not reflective analytical decisions as was previously
analytical decisions as was previously
analytical decisions as was previously thought now these are distinct separate
thought now these are distinct separate
thought now these are distinct separate processes that happen in distinct and
processes that happen in distinct and
processes that happen in distinct and separate parts of the brain
separate parts of the brain
separate parts of the brain but interestingly these decisions the
but interestingly these decisions the
but interestingly these decisions the analytical decisions only happen 20% of
analytical decisions only happen 20% of
analytical decisions only happen 20% of the time however until we did this work
the time however until we did this work
the time however until we did this work our policies only acknowledge those
our policies only acknowledge those
our policies only acknowledge those analytical decisions but those models
analytical decisions but those models
analytical decisions but those models would be used to retrospectively
would be used to retrospectively
would be used to retrospectively scrutinize and judge how good our
scrutinize and judge how good our
scrutinize and judge how good our decision would be 100% of the time now
decision would be 100% of the time now
decision would be 100% of the time now these kind of decisions are normal and
these kind of decisions are normal and
these kind of decisions are normal and natural so for us it was really
natural so for us it was really
natural so for us it was really important to be able to look at how we
important to be able to look at how we
important to be able to look at how we could help commanders when they were
could help commanders when they were
could help commanders when they were using intuitive processes and not just
using intuitive processes and not just
using intuitive processes and not just analytical processes now try as are
analytical processes now try as are
analytical processes now try as are stressful even to firefighters even to
stressful even to firefighters even to
stressful even to firefighters even to command this and this stress affects the
command this and this stress affects the
command this and this stress affects the way that you think it reduces the
way that you think it reduces the
way that you think it reduces the processing capacity in your brain and it
processing capacity in your brain and it
processing capacity in your brain and it can hamper your decisions as a result so
can hamper your decisions as a result so
can hamper your decisions as a result so the truth is a command has got more
the truth is a command has got more
the truth is a command has got more chance of making a mistake at an
chance of making a mistake at an
chance of making a mistake at an incident because they’ve got more chance
incident because they’ve got more chance
incident because they’ve got more chance of misjudging something missing
of misjudging something missing
of misjudging something missing something or responding and a suboptimal
something or responding and a suboptimal
something or responding and a suboptimal way and for us that means people can get
way and for us that means people can get
way and for us that means people can get hurt so we needed to focus on how we
hurt so we needed to focus on how we
hurt so we needed to focus on how we could help commanders focus on
could help commanders focus on
could help commanders focus on operational goals despite stressful
operational goals despite stressful
operational goals despite stressful situations to do this we looked at their
situations to do this we looked at their
situations to do this we looked at their awareness their situational awareness
awareness their situational awareness
awareness their situational awareness and we found that when they were making
and we found that when they were making
and we found that when they were making decisions on the incident ground their
decisions on the incident ground their
decisions on the incident ground their mental picture their awareness of the
mental picture their awareness of the
mental picture their awareness of the situation was very limited to the here
situation was very limited to the here
situation was very limited to the here and now
and now
and now they weren’t anticipating or thinking
they weren’t anticipating or thinking
they weren’t anticipating or thinking about what might happen next already
about what might happen next already
about what might happen next already interesting results so we use these
interesting results so we use these
interesting results so we use these results to develop some new techniques
results to develop some new techniques
results to develop some new techniques that would help to reduce human error
that would help to reduce human error
that would help to reduce human error and make their decisions more effective
and make their decisions more effective
and make their decisions more effective we use the findings to develop this this
we use the findings to develop this this
we use the findings to develop this this is our decision control process and it
is our decision control process and it
is our decision control process and it recognizes both analytical and intuitive
recognizes both analytical and intuitive
recognizes both analytical and intuitive brain processes and once commanders have
brain processes and once commanders have
brain processes and once commanders have made a decision using one of these two
made a decision using one of these two
made a decision using one of these two pathways we trained them to ask
pathways we trained them to ask
pathways we trained them to ask themselves three very simple questions
themselves three very simple questions
themselves three very simple questions what’s my goal what do I expect to
what’s my goal what do I expect to
what’s my goal what do I expect to happen and is the benefit worth the risk
happen and is the benefit worth the risk
happen and is the benefit worth the risk now we tested the these decision
now we tested the these decision
now we tested the these decision controls out on some national
controls out on some national
controls out on some national decision trials and we found that they
decision trials and we found that they
decision trials and we found that they really helped commanders to focus on the
really helped commanders to focus on the
really helped commanders to focus on the operational goals despite the
operational goals despite the
operational goals despite the challenging situations they were in we
challenging situations they were in we
challenging situations they were in we also found that they improved their
also found that they improved their
also found that they improved their situational awareness pushing the
situational awareness pushing the
situational awareness pushing the commander’s past the limits of what’s
commander’s past the limits of what’s
commander’s past the limits of what’s happening right now and towards the
happening right now and towards the
happening right now and towards the realms of what’s going to happen and
realms of what’s going to happen and
realms of what’s going to happen and crucially they didn’t slow down
crucially they didn’t slow down
crucially they didn’t slow down decision-making
decision-making
decision-making now these techniques are now used to
now these techniques are now used to
now these techniques are now used to standard all across the UK and we’ve
standard all across the UK and we’ve
standard all across the UK and we’ve shared them beyond international borders
shared them beyond international borders
shared them beyond international borders not only are they embedded in our
not only are they embedded in our
not only are they embedded in our National Command policy for fire but
National Command policy for fire but
National Command policy for fire but they’re also in the command policy for
they’re also in the command policy for
they’re also in the command policy for all emergency services so we all now
all emergency services so we all now
all emergency services so we all now benefit from these results now my
benefit from these results now my
benefit from these results now my experience my guilt I suppose drives me
experience my guilt I suppose drives me
experience my guilt I suppose drives me to push on to continue researching to
to push on to continue researching to
to push on to continue researching to make the working environment of
make the working environment of
make the working environment of firefighters better for people who I’m
firefighters better for people who I’m
firefighters better for people who I’m proud to call my colleagues and
proud to call my colleagues and
proud to call my colleagues and sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them
sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them
sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them my friends so although I’ve not had a
my friends so although I’ve not had a
my friends so although I’ve not had a traditional journey I certainly had the
traditional journey I certainly had the
traditional journey I certainly had the freedom to be different and when you’re
freedom to be different and when you’re
freedom to be different and when you’re free to be different you’re free to
free to be different you’re free to
free to be different you’re free to define new boundaries it only takes one
define new boundaries it only takes one
define new boundaries it only takes one person to change a mind but many minds
person to change a mind but many minds
person to change a mind but many minds can change the world thank you
can change the world thank you
can change the world thank you [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
when you think about a firefighter what
when you think about a firefighter what do they look like that most of you are
do they look like that most of you are
do they look like that most of you are thinking of someone a bit like this
those of you with experience might be
those of you with experience might be thinking of someone more like this but I
thinking of someone more like this but I
thinking of someone more like this but I doubt very much you’d be thinking of
doubt very much you’d be thinking of
doubt very much you’d be thinking of someone who looks like me I became a
someone who looks like me I became a
someone who looks like me I became a firefighter when I was 18 here in
firefighter when I was 18 here in
firefighter when I was 18 here in Cardiff and now with 17 years of
Cardiff and now with 17 years of
Cardiff and now with 17 years of operational service I’m a Deputy
operational service I’m a Deputy
operational service I’m a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London Fire
Assistant Commissioner in London Fire
Assistant Commissioner in London Fire Brigade now I might not look like a
Brigade now I might not look like a
Brigade now I might not look like a traditional firefighter and to be honest
traditional firefighter and to be honest
traditional firefighter and to be honest I’ve had to push back against those
I’ve had to push back against those
I’ve had to push back against those stereotypes for my entire career but in
stereotypes for my entire career but in
stereotypes for my entire career but in a way the freedom to be different I mean
a way the freedom to be different I mean
a way the freedom to be different I mean really different has been incredibly
really different has been incredibly
really different has been incredibly empowering because when you’re free to
empowering because when you’re free to
empowering because when you’re free to be different
be different
be different you’re free to define new boundaries and
you’re free to define new boundaries and
you’re free to define new boundaries and define your own boundaries and I drew
define your own boundaries and I drew
define your own boundaries and I drew these boundaries around keeping
these boundaries around keeping
these boundaries around keeping firefighters safe now I want you to hear
firefighters safe now I want you to hear
firefighters safe now I want you to hear my minute I want you to close your eyes
my minute I want you to close your eyes
my minute I want you to close your eyes don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold
don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold
don’t worry I’m not gonna make you hold hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just
hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just
hands or sing Kumbaya trust me just close your eyes and think about your
close your eyes and think about your
close your eyes and think about your home now imagine coming home after a
home now imagine coming home after a
home now imagine coming home after a long day imagine the faces of the people
long day imagine the faces of the people
long day imagine the faces of the people you love greeting you at the door now
you love greeting you at the door now
you love greeting you at the door now step inside into your home look at the
step inside into your home look at the
step inside into your home look at the pictures on the wall everywhere you look
pictures on the wall everywhere you look
pictures on the wall everywhere you look there’s memories the spot where the kids
there’s memories the spot where the kids
there’s memories the spot where the kids took their first steps spot with granny
took their first steps spot with granny
took their first steps spot with granny sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot
sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot
sat on a r88 birthday bash the spot where the old dog sits on the sofa when
where the old dog sits on the sofa when
where the old dog sits on the sofa when he used to be a little puppy but it’s
he used to be a little puppy but it’s
he used to be a little puppy but it’s not just a house or a flat or a room
not just a house or a flat or a room
not just a house or a flat or a room it’s your home okay you can open your
it’s your home okay you can open your
it’s your home okay you can open your eyes now this this is my home where at
eyes now this this is my home where at
eyes now this this is my home where at least it’s what my little girl think
least it’s what my little girl think
least it’s what my little girl think home looks like and it’s packed with
home looks like and it’s packed with
home looks like and it’s packed with stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too
stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too
stuff toys books trinkets so I’m too sentimental to throw away when you put
sentimental to throw away when you put
sentimental to throw away when you put all those things together along with the
all those things together along with the
all those things together along with the memories attached to them then it
memories attached to them then it
memories attached to them then it becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of
becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of
becomes your home I’ve seen hundreds of versions of this throughout my career
versions of this throughout my career
versions of this throughout my career one minute it’s there your home your
one minute it’s there your home your
one minute it’s there your home your memories your life the next minute it’s
memories your life the next minute it’s
memories your life the next minute it’s all gone all gone like that now I want
all gone all gone like that now I want
all gone all gone like that now I want you to picture yourself standing on the
you to picture yourself standing on the
you to picture yourself standing on the side of the road in the middle of the
side of the road in the middle of the
side of the road in the middle of the night watching and disbelief as those
night watching and disbelief as those
night watching and disbelief as those flames ripped through that home that
flames ripped through that home that
flames ripped through that home that you’ve just been picturing through
you’ve just been picturing through
you’ve just been picturing through everything you have and love imagine
everything you have and love imagine
everything you have and love imagine someone you loved stood next in so
someone you loved stood next in so
someone you loved stood next in so you’re both wrapped up in blankets as
you’re both wrapped up in blankets as
you’re both wrapped up in blankets as that acrid smoke swirls around you
that acrid smoke swirls around you
that acrid smoke swirls around you imagine their faces now imagine the dump
imagine their faces now imagine the dump
imagine their faces now imagine the dump color of your pajama shirt as it sticks
color of your pajama shirt as it sticks
color of your pajama shirt as it sticks to your neck as the tears roll down your
to your neck as the tears roll down your
to your neck as the tears roll down your face the pavements cold against your
face the pavements cold against your
face the pavements cold against your bare feet but still at least you got out
bare feet but still at least you got out
bare feet but still at least you got out some people ants are lucky in fact more
some people ants are lucky in fact more
some people ants are lucky in fact more than nine thousand people a year are
than nine thousand people a year are
than nine thousand people a year are trapped inside fires that’s the
trapped inside fires that’s the
trapped inside fires that’s the equivalent to the population of st. Ives
equivalent to the population of st. Ives
equivalent to the population of st. Ives now I want you to imagine you here this
now I want you to imagine you here this
now I want you to imagine you here this is what you say is burning hot you try
is what you say is burning hot you try
is what you say is burning hot you try and breathe but you choke on the thick
and breathe but you choke on the thick
and breathe but you choke on the thick black smoke you try and shout for help
black smoke you try and shout for help
black smoke you try and shout for help but you cough and splutter
but you cough and splutter
but you cough and splutter the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to
the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to
the taste of that acrid smoke sticks to the back of your teeth it’s roaring
the back of your teeth it’s roaring
the back of your teeth it’s roaring flames they’re definitely but you just
flames they’re definitely but you just
flames they’re definitely but you just make out the sound of someone you love
make out the sound of someone you love
make out the sound of someone you love outside the house as they’re screaming
outside the house as they’re screaming
outside the house as they’re screaming your name desperate to reach you
your name desperate to reach you
your name desperate to reach you desperate for some sign that you’re
desperate for some sign that you’re
desperate for some sign that you’re alive and you know what they’re thinking
alive and you know what they’re thinking
alive and you know what they’re thinking because to be honest it’s what you’re
because to be honest it’s what you’re
because to be honest it’s what you’re thinking – what if we’ve seen my last
thinking – what if we’ve seen my last
thinking – what if we’ve seen my last birthday together or if we last left our
birthday together or if we last left our
birthday together or if we last left our last laugh together
last laugh together
last laugh together what if our last memory together has
what if our last memory together has
what if our last memory together has already been made in one word how do you
already been made in one word how do you
already been made in one word how do you think you’d feel right now terrified
think you’d feel right now terrified
think you’d feel right now terrified hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are
hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are
hopeless lost perhaps firefighters are on their way to you in fact around
on their way to you in fact around
on their way to you in fact around 700,000 times every year people in the
700,000 times every year people in the
700,000 times every year people in the UK ask firefighters to help them they
UK ask firefighters to help them they
UK ask firefighters to help them they ask to be rescued to be reunited with
ask to be rescued to be reunited with
ask to be rescued to be reunited with their loved ones the person trapped
their loved ones the person trapped
their loved ones the person trapped inside that burning building or in the
inside that burning building or in the
inside that burning building or in the crumpled up car or drowning in a lake
crumpled up car or drowning in a lake
crumpled up car or drowning in a lake they asked to be helped so we rely on
they asked to be helped so we rely on
they asked to be helped so we rely on our firefighters to go into situations
our firefighters to go into situations
our firefighters to go into situations that I thought was danger that are
that I thought was danger that are
that I thought was danger that are dangerous enough to kill and that’s a
dangerous enough to kill and that’s a
dangerous enough to kill and that’s a big responsibility and it’s commanders
big responsibility and it’s commanders
big responsibility and it’s commanders like me who are in a privileged position
like me who are in a privileged position
like me who are in a privileged position to be trusted by firefighters to pull it
to be trusted by firefighters to pull it
to be trusted by firefighters to pull it all together to know what to do to make
all together to know what to do to make
all together to know what to do to make sure the right people are in the right
sure the right people are in the right
sure the right people are in the right place
place
place right time to save a life now of the
right time to save a life now of the
right time to save a life now of the people trapped in fires last year there
people trapped in fires last year there
people trapped in fires last year there are exactly nine thousand one hundred
are exactly nine thousand one hundred
are exactly nine thousand one hundred two hundred and sixteen of those people
two hundred and sixteen of those people
two hundred and sixteen of those people we rescued exactly eight thousand eight
we rescued exactly eight thousand eight
we rescued exactly eight thousand eight hundred and ninety of them and one thing
hundred and ninety of them and one thing
hundred and ninety of them and one thing that all firefighters have in common
that all firefighters have in common
that all firefighters have in common regardless of shape or size is for those
regardless of shape or size is for those
regardless of shape or size is for those people we rescued we were the last thing
people we rescued we were the last thing
people we rescued we were the last thing standing between a dying breath and
standing between a dying breath and
standing between a dying breath and another day we came to symbolize hope
another day we came to symbolize hope
another day we came to symbolize hope relief and a way out
relief and a way out
relief and a way out and we’re always aware have been harab
and we’re always aware have been harab
and we’re always aware have been harab risks of our job we know that it’s
risks of our job we know that it’s
risks of our job we know that it’s dangerous we know that sometimes it
dangerous we know that sometimes it
dangerous we know that sometimes it won’t only be your lives at risk but ask
won’t only be your lives at risk but ask
won’t only be your lives at risk but ask – so what drives us to run in when
– so what drives us to run in when
– so what drives us to run in when you’re running out well we’ve seen
you’re running out well we’ve seen
you’re running out well we’ve seen people who are loved who are echoes of
people who are loved who are echoes of
people who are loved who are echoes of ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the
ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the
ourselves lose everything we’ve seen the fear and grief and loss in their eyes in
fear and grief and loss in their eyes in
fear and grief and loss in their eyes in real time and that’s what pushes us
real time and that’s what pushes us
real time and that’s what pushes us through the heat and smoke and darkness
through the heat and smoke and darkness
through the heat and smoke and darkness and we can’t always promise a way out
and we can’t always promise a way out
and we can’t always promise a way out but where there is one we promise we’ll
but where there is one we promise we’ll
but where there is one we promise we’ll do everything we can to help you find it
do everything we can to help you find it
do everything we can to help you find it even when keeping that promise comes at
even when keeping that promise comes at
even when keeping that promise comes at a price even when it means risking our
a price even when it means risking our
a price even when it means risking our own safety because firefighters want to
own safety because firefighters want to
own safety because firefighters want to protect you that’s their job I want to
protect you that’s their job I want to
protect you that’s their job I want to protect firefighters so they can protect
protect firefighters so they can protect
protect firefighters so they can protect you that’s my job now years of
you that’s my job now years of
you that’s my job now years of experience and a few close calls have
experience and a few close calls have
experience and a few close calls have taught me we’re not invincible we have
taught me we’re not invincible we have
taught me we’re not invincible we have the same fears of flaws as the people
the same fears of flaws as the people
the same fears of flaws as the people who rescue the same human instinct that
who rescue the same human instinct that
who rescue the same human instinct that drives us to push through the most
drives us to push through the most
drives us to push through the most unforgiving of circumstances and the
unforgiving of circumstances and the
unforgiving of circumstances and the same human limitations and you know what
same human limitations and you know what
same human limitations and you know what sometimes we get hurt last year two
sometimes we get hurt last year two
sometimes we get hurt last year two thousand five hundred and sixteen
thousand five hundred and sixteen
thousand five hundred and sixteen firefighters were injured during the
firefighters were injured during the
firefighters were injured during the course of their duty in England alone
course of their duty in England alone
course of their duty in England alone that’s enough firefighters to fill 32
that’s enough firefighters to fill 32
that’s enough firefighters to fill 32 double-decker buses 130 of them suffered
double-decker buses 130 of them suffered
double-decker buses 130 of them suffered major injuries first time I saw a
major injuries first time I saw a
major injuries first time I saw a colleague injured was at one particular
colleague injured was at one particular
colleague injured was at one particular fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago
fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago
fire HD my memory nearly 15 years ago that incident would go on to drive a
that incident would go on to drive a
that incident would go on to drive a hugely significant piece of research
hugely significant piece of research
hugely significant piece of research aimed at driving firefighter safety this
aimed at driving firefighter safety this
aimed at driving firefighter safety this is my husband Mike and our daughter
is my husband Mike and our daughter
is my husband Mike and our daughter Gabriella
Gabriella
Gabriella now before we were married we were both
now before we were married we were both
now before we were married we were both firefighters together on neighboring
firefighters together on neighboring
firefighters together on neighboring stations one day I was part of a crew
stations one day I was part of a crew
stations one day I was part of a crew that was called to an incident where a
that was called to an incident where a
that was called to an incident where a firefighter had been severely burned
firefighter had been severely burned
firefighter had been severely burned that incident only involved one fire
that incident only involved one fire
that incident only involved one fire engine and
engine and
engine and I knew Mike was on it there was a
I knew Mike was on it there was a
I knew Mike was on it there was a one-in-four chance it was him I can
one-in-four chance it was him I can
one-in-four chance it was him I can remember walking into the appliance base
remember walking into the appliance base
remember walking into the appliance base I heard the bells ring and a couple of
I heard the bells ring and a couple of
I heard the bells ring and a couple of the guys were ready at the teleprinter
the guys were ready at the teleprinter
the guys were ready at the teleprinter and they were all kind of huddled around
and they were all kind of huddled around
and they were all kind of huddled around this at the paper and I could just tell
this at the paper and I could just tell
this at the paper and I could just tell by their faces that something wasn’t
by their faces that something wasn’t
by their faces that something wasn’t right they told me what it was as I
right they told me what it was as I
right they told me what it was as I pulled on my boots and yanked the braces
pulled on my boots and yanked the braces
pulled on my boots and yanked the braces up over my shoulders and as I reached
up over my shoulders and as I reached
up over my shoulders and as I reached for my jacket and put my arm into the
for my jacket and put my arm into the
for my jacket and put my arm into the sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices
sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices
sleeve I could hear the murmur of voices but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt
but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt
but I couldn’t decipher the words I felt completely detached like you’re in a
completely detached like you’re in a
completely detached like you’re in a film and the camera pans all around you
film and the camera pans all around you
film and the camera pans all around you I can remember thinking to myself I
I can remember thinking to myself I
I can remember thinking to myself I might be about to become one of those
might be about to become one of those
might be about to become one of those people we see every day who wake up to
people we see every day who wake up to
people we see every day who wake up to corn flakes and normality only for their
corn flakes and normality only for their
corn flakes and normality only for their entire world to be ripped apart the
entire world to be ripped apart the
entire world to be ripped apart the journey there was the longest
journey there was the longest
journey there was the longest four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I
four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I
four-and-a-half minutes of my life all I could think about was Mike is it him was
could think about was Mike is it him was
could think about was Mike is it him was he hurt was he afraid it was literally
he hurt was he afraid it was literally
he hurt was he afraid it was literally all I could think about I was torn
all I could think about I was torn
all I could think about I was torn between the role of a loved one and the
between the role of a loved one and the
between the role of a loved one and the role of a responder anyway we pulled up
role of a responder anyway we pulled up
role of a responder anyway we pulled up when I jumped off the truck and I could
when I jumped off the truck and I could
when I jumped off the truck and I could see this pair of legs sticking out from
see this pair of legs sticking out from
see this pair of legs sticking out from a huddle of firefighters with kind of
a huddle of firefighters with kind of
a huddle of firefighters with kind of dirty patches on the knees and all I
dirty patches on the knees and all I
dirty patches on the knees and all I could hear was someone groaning like
could hear was someone groaning like
could hear was someone groaning like they were in pain and then I think
they were in pain and then I think
they were in pain and then I think honestly I was about to throw up when I
honestly I was about to throw up when I
honestly I was about to throw up when I saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and
saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and
saw Mike stand up and the scene spun and I felt this overwhelming sense of relief
I felt this overwhelming sense of relief
I felt this overwhelming sense of relief I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran
I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran
I couldn’t feel my legs moving as I ran towards the crowd with a medicate and an
towards the crowd with a medicate and an
towards the crowd with a medicate and an oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my
oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my
oxygen sinner in my hand cylinder in my hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to
hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to
hand and I bit down on my lip so hard to stop myself from crying that I still got
stop myself from crying that I still got
stop myself from crying that I still got a scar inside there to this day
a scar inside there to this day
a scar inside there to this day but then I did what firefighters
but then I did what firefighters
but then I did what firefighters supposed to do I joined my crew and we
supposed to do I joined my crew and we
supposed to do I joined my crew and we dealt with the scene now that incident
dealt with the scene now that incident
dealt with the scene now that incident was so challenging and in a sense I was
was so challenging and in a sense I was
was so challenging and in a sense I was really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt
really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt
really lucky because Mike wasn’t hurt but someone else was and for a long time
but someone else was and for a long time
but someone else was and for a long time that incident played on my mind and I
that incident played on my mind and I
that incident played on my mind and I had a huge sense of guilt that I carried
had a huge sense of guilt that I carried
had a huge sense of guilt that I carried for a very very long time because I’d
for a very very long time because I’d
for a very very long time because I’d felt relief on another man who we
felt relief on another man who we
felt relief on another man who we considered to be our friend as well as
considered to be our friend as well as
considered to be our friend as well as our colleague had been so badly injured
our colleague had been so badly injured
our colleague had been so badly injured for the entire journey there I’d crossed
for the entire journey there I’d crossed
for the entire journey there I’d crossed my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by
my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by
my fingers that Mike wasn’t her and by not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d
not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d
not wanting it to be him I felt like I’d wished it on someone else
wished it on someone else
wished it on someone else so someone else’s family had that phone
so someone else’s family had that phone
so someone else’s family had that phone call rushed to the hospital lived
call rushed to the hospital lived
call rushed to the hospital lived through the months of recovery the tears
through the months of recovery the tears
through the months of recovery the tears the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a
the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a
the angry outbursts the rebuilding of a life Mike avoided it has to die but
life Mike avoided it has to die but
life Mike avoided it has to die but someone else didn’t which brings me to
someone else didn’t which brings me to
someone else didn’t which brings me to an important question who is responsible
an important question who is responsible
an important question who is responsible for keeping firefighters safe who is
for keeping firefighters safe who is
for keeping firefighters safe who is responsible for preventing incidents
responsible for preventing incidents
responsible for preventing incidents like the one I just described whose job
like the one I just described whose job
like the one I just described whose job is it to prioritize firefighter safety
is it to prioritize firefighter safety
is it to prioritize firefighter safety so they can prioritize yours
so they can prioritize yours
so they can prioritize yours interestingly 80% of firefighter
interestingly 80% of firefighter
interestingly 80% of firefighter injuries are caused by human error
injuries are caused by human error
injuries are caused by human error though that’s the equivalent to 25 of
though that’s the equivalent to 25 of
though that’s the equivalent to 25 of those double-decker buses those injuries
those double-decker buses those injuries
those double-decker buses those injuries 80% of them think about it 80% of them
80% of them think about it 80% of them
80% of them think about it 80% of them are caused not by a failure of a piece
are caused not by a failure of a piece
are caused not by a failure of a piece of equipment or by an inadequate policy
of equipment or by an inadequate policy
of equipment or by an inadequate policy or a flawed procedure but by a human
or a flawed procedure but by a human
or a flawed procedure but by a human mistake those injuries so many of them
mistake those injuries so many of them
mistake those injuries so many of them caused by a failure to process
caused by a failure to process
caused by a failure to process information properly were misjudged
information properly were misjudged
information properly were misjudged decision the wrong choice in the wrong
decision the wrong choice in the wrong
decision the wrong choice in the wrong place at the wrong time and real people
place at the wrong time and real people
place at the wrong time and real people were getting hurt as a result that was
were getting hurt as a result that was
were getting hurt as a result that was incredible now don’t get me wrong human
incredible now don’t get me wrong human
incredible now don’t get me wrong human error is not necessarily a reflection on
error is not necessarily a reflection on
error is not necessarily a reflection on an individual’s ability sometimes it
an individual’s ability sometimes it
an individual’s ability sometimes it reflects the circumstances or just the
reflects the circumstances or just the
reflects the circumstances or just the fundamental limitations of being human
fundamental limitations of being human
fundamental limitations of being human from what causes human error in the fire
from what causes human error in the fire
from what causes human error in the fire service what affects our ability to make
service what affects our ability to make
service what affects our ability to make effective decisions when we’re working
effective decisions when we’re working
effective decisions when we’re working in high pressured highly stressful
in high pressured highly stressful
in high pressured highly stressful situations and how do we improve our
situations and how do we improve our
situations and how do we improve our chances of doing exactly that
chances of doing exactly that
chances of doing exactly that well the key word here is human you have
well the key word here is human you have
well the key word here is human you have to understand the boundaries of being
to understand the boundaries of being
to understand the boundaries of being human in order to push the boundaries of
human in order to push the boundaries of
human in order to push the boundaries of being human now I started exploring this
being human now I started exploring this
being human now I started exploring this and it became painfully obvious that
and it became painfully obvious that
and it became painfully obvious that there’d been very little work done with
there’d been very little work done with
there’d been very little work done with fire
fire
fire we were woefully behind other high-risk
we were woefully behind other high-risk
we were woefully behind other high-risk industries like medicine and aviation
industries like medicine and aviation
industries like medicine and aviation who’d been working to reduce human error
who’d been working to reduce human error
who’d been working to reduce human error for decades and I knew this was
for decades and I knew this was
for decades and I knew this was important and I wasn’t going to just sit
important and I wasn’t going to just sit
important and I wasn’t going to just sit on the sidelines waiting for someone
on the sidelines waiting for someone
on the sidelines waiting for someone else to fix things so I decided to plow
else to fix things so I decided to plow
else to fix things so I decided to plow my own furrow
my own furrow
my own furrow but this wasn’t straightforward when I
but this wasn’t straightforward when I
but this wasn’t straightforward when I was 15 I
was 15 I
was 15 I was homeless I did my GCSEs my final
was homeless I did my GCSEs my final
was homeless I did my GCSEs my final exams while I was sleeping rough and I
exams while I was sleeping rough and I
exams while I was sleeping rough and I saw the big issue for about another two
saw the big issue for about another two
saw the big issue for about another two years only just enough for something to
years only just enough for something to
years only just enough for something to eat each day so continuing with my
eat each day so continuing with my
eat each day so continuing with my education wasn’t a luxury that I could
education wasn’t a luxury that I could
education wasn’t a luxury that I could afford then I joined the fire service
afford then I joined the fire service
afford then I joined the fire service when I was 18 so by the time the time
when I was 18 so by the time the time
when I was 18 so by the time the time came when I wanted to make a meaningful
came when I wanted to make a meaningful
came when I wanted to make a meaningful contribution I didn’t have the right
contribution I didn’t have the right
contribution I didn’t have the right qualifications to make a difference or
qualifications to make a difference or
qualifications to make a difference or at least not at first so I sucked it up
at least not at first so I sucked it up
at least not at first so I sucked it up I put one foot in front of the other and
I put one foot in front of the other and
I put one foot in front of the other and I got on with it I started off by doing
I got on with it I started off by doing
I got on with it I started off by doing a psychology degree with the Open
a psychology degree with the Open
a psychology degree with the Open University I specialized in behavioral
University I specialized in behavioral
University I specialized in behavioral neuroscience eventually completing a PhD
neuroscience eventually completing a PhD
neuroscience eventually completing a PhD at Cardiff University or part-time or
at Cardiff University or part-time or
at Cardiff University or part-time or while I was still serving full-time now
while I was still serving full-time now
while I was still serving full-time now that was hard work I was very hard work
that was hard work I was very hard work
that was hard work I was very hard work especially because I had any one baby
especially because I had any one baby
especially because I had any one baby somewhere along the way but I was just
somewhere along the way but I was just
somewhere along the way but I was just determined to bridge that gap between
determined to bridge that gap between
determined to bridge that gap between the academic and the practical so I
the academic and the practical so I
the academic and the practical so I wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten
wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten
wanted to look at the SIRT the kitten what I wanted to look at what queues are
what I wanted to look at what queues are
what I wanted to look at what queues are decisions and the circumstances that
decisions and the circumstances that
decisions and the circumstances that affect them so for nearly the past
affect them so for nearly the past
affect them so for nearly the past decade now I’ve been working with a
decade now I’ve been working with a
decade now I’ve been working with a research group at Cardiff University
research group at Cardiff University
research group at Cardiff University where we’ve been painstakingly examining
where we’ve been painstakingly examining
where we’ve been painstakingly examining the decisions that insolent commanders
the decisions that insolent commanders
the decisions that insolent commanders are making all over the country not in a
are making all over the country not in a
are making all over the country not in a lab but in the field at real-life
lab but in the field at real-life
lab but in the field at real-life incidents life-saving decisions now
incidents life-saving decisions now
incidents life-saving decisions now we’ve worked in the field
we’ve worked in the field
we’ve worked in the field we pulled people’s brains or parts using
we pulled people’s brains or parts using
we pulled people’s brains or parts using virtual reality we replicated it all on
virtual reality we replicated it all on
virtual reality we replicated it all on a training ground and even burned down
a training ground and even burned down
a training ground and even burned down some old buildings in the name of
some old buildings in the name of
some old buildings in the name of science I’ve broken a few things along
science I’ve broken a few things along
science I’ve broken a few things along the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s
the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s
the way but we’ve pulled apart people’s decisions and piece them back together
decisions and piece them back together
decisions and piece them back together again only better
again only better
again only better and what we now know is this most of the
and what we now know is this most of the
and what we now know is this most of the decisions that people make at incidents
decisions that people make at incidents
decisions that people make at incidents are intuitive decisions not reflective
are intuitive decisions not reflective
are intuitive decisions not reflective analytical decisions as was previously
analytical decisions as was previously
analytical decisions as was previously thought now these are distinct separate
thought now these are distinct separate
thought now these are distinct separate processes that happen in distinct and
processes that happen in distinct and
processes that happen in distinct and separate parts of the brain
separate parts of the brain
separate parts of the brain but interestingly these decisions the
but interestingly these decisions the
but interestingly these decisions the analytical decisions only happen 20% of
analytical decisions only happen 20% of
analytical decisions only happen 20% of the time however until we did this work
the time however until we did this work
the time however until we did this work our policies only acknowledge those
our policies only acknowledge those
our policies only acknowledge those analytical decisions but those models
analytical decisions but those models
analytical decisions but those models would be used to retrospectively
would be used to retrospectively
would be used to retrospectively scrutinize and judge how good our
scrutinize and judge how good our
scrutinize and judge how good our decision would be 100% of the time now
decision would be 100% of the time now
decision would be 100% of the time now these kind of decisions are normal and
these kind of decisions are normal and
these kind of decisions are normal and natural so for us it was really
natural so for us it was really
natural so for us it was really important to be able to look at how we
important to be able to look at how we
important to be able to look at how we could help commanders when they were
could help commanders when they were
could help commanders when they were using intuitive processes and not just
using intuitive processes and not just
using intuitive processes and not just analytical processes now try as are
analytical processes now try as are
analytical processes now try as are stressful even to firefighters even to
stressful even to firefighters even to
stressful even to firefighters even to command this and this stress affects the
command this and this stress affects the
command this and this stress affects the way that you think it reduces the
way that you think it reduces the
way that you think it reduces the processing capacity in your brain and it
processing capacity in your brain and it
processing capacity in your brain and it can hamper your decisions as a result so
can hamper your decisions as a result so
can hamper your decisions as a result so the truth is a command has got more
the truth is a command has got more
the truth is a command has got more chance of making a mistake at an
chance of making a mistake at an
chance of making a mistake at an incident because they’ve got more chance
incident because they’ve got more chance
incident because they’ve got more chance of misjudging something missing
of misjudging something missing
of misjudging something missing something or responding and a suboptimal
something or responding and a suboptimal
something or responding and a suboptimal way and for us that means people can get
way and for us that means people can get
way and for us that means people can get hurt so we needed to focus on how we
hurt so we needed to focus on how we
hurt so we needed to focus on how we could help commanders focus on
could help commanders focus on
could help commanders focus on operational goals despite stressful
operational goals despite stressful
operational goals despite stressful situations to do this we looked at their
situations to do this we looked at their
situations to do this we looked at their awareness their situational awareness
awareness their situational awareness
awareness their situational awareness and we found that when they were making
and we found that when they were making
and we found that when they were making decisions on the incident ground their
decisions on the incident ground their
decisions on the incident ground their mental picture their awareness of the
mental picture their awareness of the
mental picture their awareness of the situation was very limited to the here
situation was very limited to the here
situation was very limited to the here and now
and now
and now they weren’t anticipating or thinking
they weren’t anticipating or thinking
they weren’t anticipating or thinking about what might happen next already
about what might happen next already
about what might happen next already interesting results so we use these
interesting results so we use these
interesting results so we use these results to develop some new techniques
results to develop some new techniques
results to develop some new techniques that would help to reduce human error
that would help to reduce human error
that would help to reduce human error and make their decisions more effective
and make their decisions more effective
and make their decisions more effective we use the findings to develop this this
we use the findings to develop this this
we use the findings to develop this this is our decision control process and it
is our decision control process and it
is our decision control process and it recognizes both analytical and intuitive
recognizes both analytical and intuitive
recognizes both analytical and intuitive brain processes and once commanders have
brain processes and once commanders have
brain processes and once commanders have made a decision using one of these two
made a decision using one of these two
made a decision using one of these two pathways we trained them to ask
pathways we trained them to ask
pathways we trained them to ask themselves three very simple questions
themselves three very simple questions
themselves three very simple questions what’s my goal what do I expect to
what’s my goal what do I expect to
what’s my goal what do I expect to happen and is the benefit worth the risk
happen and is the benefit worth the risk
happen and is the benefit worth the risk now we tested the these decision
now we tested the these decision
now we tested the these decision controls out on some national
controls out on some national
controls out on some national decision trials and we found that they
decision trials and we found that they
decision trials and we found that they really helped commanders to focus on the
really helped commanders to focus on the
really helped commanders to focus on the operational goals despite the
operational goals despite the
operational goals despite the challenging situations they were in we
challenging situations they were in we
challenging situations they were in we also found that they improved their
also found that they improved their
also found that they improved their situational awareness pushing the
situational awareness pushing the
situational awareness pushing the commander’s past the limits of what’s
commander’s past the limits of what’s
commander’s past the limits of what’s happening right now and towards the
happening right now and towards the
happening right now and towards the realms of what’s going to happen and
realms of what’s going to happen and
realms of what’s going to happen and crucially they didn’t slow down
crucially they didn’t slow down
crucially they didn’t slow down decision-making
decision-making
decision-making now these techniques are now used to
now these techniques are now used to
now these techniques are now used to standard all across the UK and we’ve
standard all across the UK and we’ve
standard all across the UK and we’ve shared them beyond international borders
shared them beyond international borders
shared them beyond international borders not only are they embedded in our
not only are they embedded in our
not only are they embedded in our National Command policy for fire but
National Command policy for fire but
National Command policy for fire but they’re also in the command policy for
they’re also in the command policy for
they’re also in the command policy for all emergency services so we all now
all emergency services so we all now
all emergency services so we all now benefit from these results now my
benefit from these results now my
benefit from these results now my experience my guilt I suppose drives me
experience my guilt I suppose drives me
experience my guilt I suppose drives me to push on to continue researching to
to push on to continue researching to
to push on to continue researching to make the working environment of
make the working environment of
make the working environment of firefighters better for people who I’m
firefighters better for people who I’m
firefighters better for people who I’m proud to call my colleagues and
proud to call my colleagues and
proud to call my colleagues and sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them
sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them
sometimes I’m lucky enough to call them my friends so although I’ve not had a
my friends so although I’ve not had a
my friends so although I’ve not had a traditional journey I certainly had the
traditional journey I certainly had the
traditional journey I certainly had the freedom to be different and when you’re
freedom to be different and when you’re
freedom to be different and when you’re free to be different you’re free to
free to be different you’re free to
free to be different you’re free to define new boundaries it only takes one
define new boundaries it only takes one
define new boundaries it only takes one person to change a mind but many minds
person to change a mind but many minds
person to change a mind but many minds can change the world thank you
can change the world thank you
can change the world thank you [Applause]
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