Better Every Shift

Chief Derek Alkonis: ‘Everything you do is focused on life safety’

“There's so much we don't know about fires. We're still killing firefighters. We're still killing people in fires. There's still so much to know and to do differently.” Chief Derek Alkonis, who serves as a research program manager for UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, shares his passion for learning about fire dynamics and how best to translate fire behavior research into actionable lessons – and updated tactics – for firefighters. Plus, we dig into all of this:

• The Mike Singletary analogy for “aggressive” firefighting

• Why the Lahaina fire moved so fast and Alkonis’ current work on the fire investigation team [Read the Maui Wildfire Analysis]

• How the heavy burden of command drove him to learn more about fire behavior early in his career

• Alkonis’ work with Los Angeles County Fire to put fire behavior research into practice – and the process of getting buy-in from the firefighters

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

Greatest Hits: Chief Leeb returns to mark 100 episodes – and brings friends

To help Better Every Shift commemorate 100episodes, Chief Frank Leeb returns (again), this time with several surprise guests, live from the recent pro-wrestling-themed Brothers Helping Brothers event – a perfect example of the collaboration among the “Misfit Nation,” all working together to row in the same direction for the betterment of the fire service. There’s a lot happening, so buckle up for an action-packed show that may or may not go totally off the rails in the best possible way. Tune in for some great nuggets of wisdom, peppered with plenty of shenanigans:

• How to pin firefighter health
• The WWE star who video-bombs the show
• The “highlight reel” that shows Zam as a totally ****ing professional
• Plus, new hot seat questions!

Also, don’t miss the opportunity to attend next year’s Brothers Helping Brothers event. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com for more information.

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.

Enjoying the show? Send an email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode. 

‘We changed the entire dynamic’: Chief Mike Cunningham talks recruitment

Recruitment challenges continue to plague many fire departments, but there are simple ways to address the root issues head on – the key is knowing where to find the start button. Dr. Michael Cunningham, division chief for Cobb County (Georgia) Fire, helps members take those initial steps toward change. The chief also details how his department retooled their own hiring process. Plus, we dig into all of this:

• How a more transient workforce changes recruitment and retention efforts
• Inadvertent barriers that could discourage or prevent people from joining the fire service
• A disturbing story about AARs … in the shower
• Why a fear of DEI leads some to ignore the topic entirely
• How to set your own path and break down self-imposed barriers

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

Enjoying the show? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming show.

‘It feels good to do good’: Kurt DeGroot talks Project Fire Buddies

It all started with a single question after transporting a kid battling leukemia: How can we do more? Kurt DeGroot noticed that the boy always perked up when firefighters responded to his home, so he asked the boy’s mom if the crew could stop by again sometime – make a big splash about it with the lights and sirens blaring, this time for fun. “These kids are always known as the sick kid, and now they get this badge of honor because they're buddies with the firefighters, right?” The idea took off, and DeGroot continued connecting firefighters with critically ill children, helping give them “more good days” – a phrase that ultimately became the slogan for Project Fire Buddies. DeGroot details how PFB got off the ground and the impact firefighters are having on kids around the country. Plus, we dig into all this:

• The moment “Mr. Misery” got choked up

• Giving back as a coping mechanism for firefighters

• How fire departments can help kids in their community

Watch this short video to learn more about Project Fire Buddies, and read an interview with DeGroot here.

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

Enjoying the show? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming show. 

Hurricane deployment: Trevor Frodge details his USAR team experience

“We’re trying to make a difference wherever we can,” says West Chester (Ohio) Training Chief Trevor Frodge about the devastation he witnessed during a three-week deployment to North Carolina and Florida with Ohio Task Force 1, one of FEMA’s USAR teams responding to hurricanes Helene and Milton. Frodge describes his team’s assignments and shares an inside look at how USAR teams operate once on the scene. Plus, we dig into all this:

• Reaction to FEMA misinformation

• How to join a USAR task force

• The power of timed skills training

• Why pre-arrival assignments work

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.

Enjoying the show? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback or offer future guest suggestions!

‘Mission first, people always’: Chief Randy Royal on his leadership mindset

Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal was recently named the IAFC’s Career Fire Chief of the Year – and there are a lot of reasons why. Chief Royal details some of the innovative programs happening at the department – a tiered EMS model, mental health support initiatives, a whole blood program, and a unique approach to PPE distribution and cleaning – plus what it’s been like to bring online two new stations and secure an AFG grant to support member health. We dig into all of this and more:

• Royal’s perspective on balancing your members and your mission
• The EMS program that has dropped transports of their “most loyal customers” from 100% to 15%
• Lessons learned from the 2007 Castle West apartment fire where firefighters made 85 ladder rescues
• Why the fire department is putting hard-wired phone lines back in the stations

Related links: 

• 'Mission first, people always': One fire chief's mantra explained

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

‘Let your people run’: Chief Josh Waldo on empowering your members

Serving as IAFC president is a time-consuming job that requires a lot of travel – time away from the fire department. New president Josh Waldo reflects on how the initial angst of releasing the reins to others to shoulder more of the work at home in Bozeman, Montana, can become great pride in seeing those members succeed, even create new and improved ways to get the job done. It’s all part of the prioritization process needed to serve the department, the association and the fire service as a whole. We dig into striking this balance, plus all this:

• Waldo’s priorities as IAFC president – and what a successful year will look like for him
• Advice for members who want to be a change-agent at their department
• The value in learning from leaders who have never donned bunker gear
• Zam’s escalators vs. stairs moment at Fire-Rescue International

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.

Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Chief Eric Valliere: ‘Safety isn’t about backing off’

“NOT. HERE.” Scottsdale (Arizona) Assistant Chief Eric Valliere gets fired up talking about preventing firefighter line-of-duty deaths because “it’s a passion to keep your people safe.” The problem is that too many people are losing the true meaning of safety, he says, underscoring that safety isn’t about backing off; it’s about making sure your members are set up for success. We dig into all of this, plus:

• Valliere’s fireground safety pet peeve

• The leadership “give a crap factor”

• The power of removing roadblocks for your members

• The upcoming FDSOA conference bringing “safety to the streets” (and beach!)

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

Enjoying the show or have comments? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

‘The wins are all in the details’: Trisha Wolford on making members feel heard

Trisha Wolford got her fire service start with the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Fire Department, and 13 years later, she returned as its fire chief – a full circle moment that helped shape her perspective on leadership. Wolford details how she worked to build trust among the membership through transparency and making members feel heard. She also shares what it was like to be deemed a “DEI hire” while addressing some of the misconceptions about DEI efforts in the fire service. Plus, we dig into this:

• The leap from art major to fire chief
• “Don’t call them” and other tips for recruiting Gen Z
• Where chiefs get stuck in the “frozen middle” with DEI efforts
• How a simple policy around nail polish made a big difference
• The most important decision she makes as a chief

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Zam on the hot seat: ‘It’s been a crazy ride’

Zam and Janelle are trading places on this week’s show, with Zam in the hot seat to share some insights from his fire service career, as well as a peek behind the podcast curtain. Plus, we get into all this:

• Zam’s 30-something fire service origin story

• 5 lessons for new lieutenants

• His pre-fire service life involving bartending and cadavers – a bad combination

• New opportunities via the First Responder Center for Excellence

• Why everything comes back to the Wisconsin Badgers

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

Have an idea for a show topic or guest? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!