First responders prepare themselves physically for complex and chaotic situations but what about mental preparedness. Yonkers Fire Department Assistant Chief John Flynn (Masters 1501/ELP 1301) wanted to know if responders could optimize their crisis decision making through mindfulness training. He studied the predominant decision-making paradigms, frameworks, models and systems, alongside various mindfulness training programs and practices, to determine if mindfulness training would be a worthwhile means of enhancing first-responder crisis decision-making. John’s research found that mindfulness training may improve certain human factors, skills and abilities which correlate with enhanced first responder crisis decision-making, with a consequent significant improvement of outcomes during future emergencies and disasters.
