First Responder Friday: Core Cognitive Traits- How First Responders Think Differently
Fri, Jul 10
|Zoom
July 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM PDT - 11:00 AM CDT – 12:00 PM EDT From day one of training, first responders are taught to think differently. They learn how to think fast and efficiently during crisis and how to run into danger when others run away.
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Jul 10, 2026, 12:00 PM
Zoom
About the event
Core Cognitive Traits: How First Responders Think Differently
Speaker: Dr. Gregory Lemich
From day one of training, first responders are taught to think differently. They learn how to think fast and efficiently during crisis and how to run into danger when others run away. To do this effectively, they develop very specific cognitive traits atypical for the civilian world. These traits help the first responder focus exclusively on the task at hand and to expedite the decision-making process. The result of these acquired traits is they develop a unique identity. This identity gives them both the bravery to charge into danger and the humility to serve their community. However, this identity comes at a cost.
Key points of the training:
Recognize the core cognitive traits first responders develop.
Understand the dialectical nature of the first responder identity.
Learn common pitfalls when recommending help to first responders.
Discover how first responders can improve their communication with civilians.
