Ryan Hamre's thesis
Stress as an Enhancement: A Mindset to Improve Firefighter Performance
– Executive Summary –
Successful firefighting operations hinge on firefighters’ ability to manage their stress responses, which is crucial for making rapid, composed, and decisive actions under challenging conditions. Poor decisions can result in significant injuries and loss of life, making stress management a pivotal factor in performance, especially during emergencies.[1] Stress profoundly influences the human body, producing various beneficial and adverse physiological effects.[2] Although stress can improve focus and attention, it can also induce cognitive errors and poor decision-making.[3] When stress exceeds an individual’s perceived coping resources, noticeable declines in mental and physiological performance occur.[4] Conversely, individuals can reduce adverse performance effects if they believe they possess adequate resources to handle the stressor. Recent research highlights the potential for enhanced performance and diminished physiological stress responses through a mindset that embraces stress’s positive effects.[5] Firefighters who effectively manage stress improve their decision-making and operational performance during emergencies, which is vital for their safety and the safety of those they serve.
There is a critical need for effective stress management techniques in the fire service to enhance firefighters’ cognitive abilities and performance during high-stress situations. The central aim of this research is to investigate how adopting mental skills training (MST) and a positive stress mindset can improve decision-making and operational outcomes for firefighters. The unfortunate reality that poor decisions in high-pressure environments can lead to significant injuries and loss of life underscores the necessity for improved stress management interventions.
This thesis investigates integrating MST to enhance emergency responders’ cognitive abilities and stress mindsets during emergencies. It qualitatively analyzes MST programs from analogous fields, such as the U.S. Army’s Ready and Resilient (R2) program and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC’s) psychological services. The methodology includes a comprehensive review of existing literature on the human stress response, stress mindset, and effectiveness of various MST techniques such as controlled breathing, visualization, and self-talk. Case studies of MST implementation in high-pressure professions provide comparative insights for application in the fire service.
The findings suggest that MST can significantly enhance human performance under stress by transforming stress perception and management. MST techniques such as controlled breathing, visualization, and self-talk reduce physiological arousal, improve focus, and enhance decision-making abilities.[6] For instance, the U.S. Army’s R2 program has improved soldiers’ resilience and cognitive performance through MST.[7] Similarly, the USOPC has effectively supported athletes in managing stress and optimizing performance through tailored MST programs.[8] The fire service can leverage the demonstrated success of military and elite athletic programs by selectively integrating their components to address the specific needs of firefighters.
By integrating MST into firefighter training programs, the fire service could transform stress management among its ranks, thus enhancing decision-making and operational effectiveness during emergencies. This thesis underscores the potential for MST to improve not only the cognitive and physical performance of firefighters but also their overall well-being by fostering a positive stress mindset. Evidence from analogous fields supports the feasibility and benefits of MST, suggesting that its adoption by the fire service could significantly improve emergency response outcomes.
Effectively integrating MST into firefighter training programs requires adapting established performance psychology models such as R2 and the USOPC’s psychological services. These models emphasize a balanced approach, combining MST with mental health support to optimize performance and resilience. Robust scientific principles and practical application support using certified mental performance consultants and mental health professionals. Furthermore, the train-the-trainer approach, led and supervised by qualified professionals, facilitates scalability and broader dissemination of MST principles while maintaining high standards. Mental performance professionals’ expertise in performance psychology and mental health ensures a balanced stress management and performance optimization approach.
Fire departments can optimize MST by providing a continuum of training throughout a firefighter’s career to maintain and enhance the mental skills acquired during the academy. Initial MST training could be integrated throughout the recruit academy using periodization methods like those used by the military.[9] Furthermore, the existing training curricula of firefighters could incorporate MST through established certification tracks. This approach guarantees the continuous development and reinforcement of mental skills. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of MST on firefighter performance and health. Longitudinal studies would provide valuable insights into the sustained impact of MST and help to refine training programs for continuous improvement. By adopting these recommendations, the fire service can enhance the performance and resilience of its personnel, ultimately leading to safer and more effective emergency response operations. Integrating MST into firefighter training is a practical necessity and a strategic investment in the health and effectiveness of those who serve in high-stress, high-stakes environments.
[1] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed September 22, 2023, https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-fire-fighter-face/Default.cshtml?state=ALL&Incident_Year=ALL&Submit=Submit.
[2] Mark A. Staal, Stress, Cognition, and Human Performance: A Literature Review and Conceptual Framework, NASA/TM-2004-212824 (Moffett Field, CA: NASA Ames Research Center, 2004).
[3] Staal.
[4] David M. Diamond et al., “The Temporal Dynamics Model of Emotional Memory Processing: A Synthesis on the Neurobiological Basis of Stress-Induced Amnesia, Flashbulb and Traumatic Memories, and the Yerkes-Dodson Law,” Neural Plasticity 2007, no. 1 (2007): 060803, https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/60803.
[5] Nadine Sammy et al., “The Effects of Arousal Reappraisal on Stress Responses, Performance and Attention,” Anxiety, Stress, & Coping 30, no. 6 (2017): 619–29, https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1330952; Alia J. Crum, Peter Salovey, and Shawn Achor, “Rethinking Stress: The Role of Mindsets in Determining the Stress Response,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 104, no. 4 (2013): 716–33, https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031201.
[6] Andrew E. Jensen et al., “The Benefit of Mental Skills Training on Performance and Stress Response in Military Personnel,” Frontiers in Psychology 10 (January 2020): 2964, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02964.
[7] P. D. Harms et al., The Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness Program Evaluation: Report #4: Evaluation of Resilience Training and Mental and Behavioral Health Outcomes (Monterey, CA: Research Facilitation Team, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army, 2013), https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA584179; Amy B. Adler et al., “Mental Skills Training with Basic Combat Training Soldiers: A Group-Randomized Trial,” Journal of Applied Psychology 100, no. 6 (November 2015): 1752–64, https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000021.
[8] Daniel Gould and Ian Maynard, “Psychological Preparation for the Olympic Games,” Journal of Sports Sciences 27, no. 13 (November 2009): 1393–1408, https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410903081845; Christy Greenleaf, Daniel Gould, and Kristen Dieffenbach, “Factors Influencing Olympic Performance: Interviews with Atlanta and Negano US Olympians,” Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 13, no. 2 (March 2001): 154–84, https://doi.org/10.1080/104132001753149874.
[9] Jensen et al., “The Benefit of Mental Skills Training,” 3.
