According to Per Mica R Endsley, what does situational awareness encompass?

Situational awareness, as described by Mica R. Endsley, primarily encompasses the perception of elements in the environment. This involves being able to accurately recognize, comprehend, and anticipate various factors in a given situation. In the context of fire service, this could mean understanding the layout of a building, recognizing hazards, identifying the presence of victims, and evaluating other critical elements that influence decision-making and operational effectiveness in real-time.

The other options, while relevant to overall operational effectiveness, do not capture the essence of situational awareness as defined by Endsley. Knowledge of equipment, prioritization of tasks, and understanding fire dynamics are all important for firefighters, but they are aspects that fall under the broader umbrella of situational awareness rather than defining it. Situational awareness focuses specifically on the active perception of the surroundings, which enables responders to make informed decisions based on their immediate environment.