In addition to providing training and consulting services, Command Competence, CFBT-US, LLC maintains a program of research in the area of macrocognition and naturalistic decision making (NDM) to improve the effectiveness of command skills and fireground decision-making training.

Macrocognition and NDM

Macrocognition refers to the study of thinking in complex, real-world contexts. Macrocognition relates to how people think, learn, and make decisions within natural environments where factors like time pressure, uncertainty, and teamwork play a critical role.

Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) focuses on how individuals make decisions in real-world situations characterized by complexity, ambiguity, and high stakes. NDM investigates how experts draw on their experience and intuition to recognize patterns and rapidly assess the situation. This approach highlights the importance of context, the use of mental simulations, and the role of situational awareness in making effective decisions under pressure.

Together, these concepts provide insights into the cognitive strategies employed in high-stakes environments such as operating on the fire ground or other emergency incident operations, helping to improve training, system design, and decision support.

Current Research Project

Current research is investigating the macrocognitive processes that company and command officers engage in between the time that they are dispatched to an emergency incident and when they arrive and are presented with the need to develop an effective initial incident action plan.