Better Every Shift

‘Restore classes immediately’: Fire service leaders urge action after NFA training cancellations

“There’s no better time than now to watch the Fire Service One Voice message being exercised,” notes former U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell on this week’s podcast. The collective message from fire service leaders and organizations focuses on the importance of the National Fire Academy – an institution that, effective Friday, was shuttered for all in-person and instructor-led training, FEMA says as part of a review of programs and funding. Along with Dr. Moore-Merrell, IAFC President Fire Chief Josh Waldo and FireRescue1 Senior Fire Advisor Chief Marc Bashoor call for the immediate reopening of the NFA and, quite simply, ask the Administration to share the plan here – after all, fire service leaders could certainly help in the effort. Furthermore, they reiterate that while “no one wants waste, fraud and abuse,” there are ways to review funding without shuttering critical training programs. This is not about politics; it’s about service.

Additional resources:

• ‘This is a travesty’: Fire service leaders react to NFA training cancellations
• IAFC calls on Trump administration to reopen the National Fire Academy
• The big picture: FEMA, DOGE and your local fire department

IAFC members can contact their Senators and Representatives and ask them to reopen the NFA.

Chief Kevin Quinn: ‘If you do retention right, you don’t have a recruitment problem’

Recruitment and retention are critical issues impacting fire departments across the country, and while it’s important to level up our efforts there, Deputy Chief (ret.) Kevin Quinn emphasizes a third R – replacement, as in, succession planning. Chief Quinn, who served for over 40 years on the board of the NVFC, certainly understands the importance of such long-term vision and planning, as he has mentored and empowered countless emerging leaders throughout his career. It’s one of the reasons Quinn was recently recognized with the CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. We talk with Quinn about the award, his impactful career, plus all this:

• The final goal he hopes to achieve in the final stretch of his fire service career
• Elevating volunteers above “second-class citizen” status in the fire service
• The need for unity across fire service organizations
• The one certification he wasn’t interested in getting during his career
• Maintaining the sizzle factor and the juggle factor

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!

Extra Alarm: How battalion chiefs can win the hearts of their firefighters

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Battalion Chief Ben Thompson from the Birmingham Fire Department. The article explores how battalion chiefs can earn the respect and trust of their firefighters through personal interactions that display compassion. Thompson recounts personal experiences to illustrate these qualities, emphasizing the importance of handling small, day-to-day moments with care and empathy. Read the article on FireRescue1.com.

‘Hyper-connected to the people we serve’: Chief Dean Crispen talks SFFD goals

Shortly after taking the helm as fire chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, Dean Crispen received the advice to “just be true to your basic values” – perfect guidance for someone whose values are focused on love for the city and wanting it to succeed, particularly after some challenging years. As the city continues to move in an upward trajectory, Crispen’s focus is on making the department hyper-connected to the people it serves. Crispen shares his vision for the department, plus we dig into all of this:

• Monday morning EOC activations for disaster preparedness
• Captains as the first point of contact for the community
• Why the busiest station is the safest station
• Biggest misconceptions about San Francisco
• WUI training in city environments
• The power of knowing your blind spots

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Extra Alarm: What you need to know about the Social Security Fairness Act

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Joan Hill, who details the need-to-know information about the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Hill explains the changes and their implications for firefighters, answering key questions like: Who benefits from the Social Security Fairness Act? Will benefits be retroactive? What is the implementation timeline of the Social Security Fairness Act? How can I maximize my benefits after the Social Security Fairness Act? Read the original article on FireRescue1.

‘I’m proof that it works’: Zam talks resilience-focused habits

Zam has been through a lot in the past year, navigating some personal life challenges, plus adapting to an elevated position at work – a change that ultimately put him in command at an MCI active-shooter event. With Dr. Rachelle Zemlok as his guide, Zam reflects on how his focus on building resilience has helped him navigate these life changes and challenging calls. Plus, Dr. Z details the four ways to build resilience so you are better prepared when life starts throwing too many punches.

Some resources mentioned on the show:

• Trauma screening questionnaire (page 11)

• Resilient 50 Challenge

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

Extra Alarm: How to develop a volunteer recruitment playbook

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Dan Rogers, a third-generation firefighter with the Witt Volunteer Fire Department. Rogers delves into volunteer recruitment challenges and solutions, highlighting the importance of addressing misconceptions about why people aren't joining the fire service. Rogers offers several actionable strategies for increasing volunteer numbers. Read the original article on FireRescue1.

Curt Varone: ‘Our biggest liability is sitting in the firehouse with us’

This week’s podcast revisits one of our most popular shows. Fire service attorney Curt Varone identifies the biggest liability for fire departments – the members who might be looking for a fight – and urges fire service leaders to better address everything from HR issues like discipline to operational issues related to policies and training. We also dig into the need to educate fire service leaders about how to identify those conflict-seeking members who often become frequent litigators, or as Varone says, beware the “human equivalent of a lightweight wood truss building.”

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.

Extra Alarm: Borrowing from business simply doesn’t work for the fire service

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Johnny Torgeson, the assistant chief of operations for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire & Emergency Services in California. Torgeson emphasizes the need to reject traditional business-derived leadership models and instead lead differently. The chief explains how to “disrespect the norm,” reinvent your position and put in the work toward a more unconventional approach that doesn’t rely on tools from books that aren’t meant for fire officers or theories that have yet to be realized as successful tools for the fire service. Most importantly, we shouldn’t copy-paste the leadership patterns of our predecessors. Read the original article on FireRescue1.

San Diego Fire Rescue chiefs talk recruitment, wellness and community connection

There’s a lot going on at San Diego Fire Rescue, as we hear from Fire Chief Robert Logan and Battalion Chief David Picone with the health and safety office on this week’s Better Every Shift. The department leaders outline a host of unique programs and efforts focused on members. They also address the recent L.A. wildfires (to which San Diego sent resources), plus the debate about DEI that emerged amid the incident. Some topics we hit on the show:

• Recruitment: Breaking down barriers to reach potential members

• Wellness: FD training modeled after a Division 1 athletic program

• Family dynamics: Launching a “2-in/2-out” event for couples

• DEI: “No standards have changed”

• Outreach: Reintroducing the FD to the community

• WUI fires: Game-changing weather where Mother Nature is going to win

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!