Better Every Shift

What could go wrong? Game out fire command for major events

Major events are coming to a city near you — soon! From the Super Bowl and FIFA events to large-scale festivals and the America 250 celebrations, fire departments across the country are being tapped to run command and manage attendee safety. “It’s exciting and terrorizing at the same time,” Chief Bryan Frieders says of the initial assignment, trying to figure out where to begin. Frieders breaks down the fire service role, namely how command authority is established, communicated and exercised before the first unit arrives. He explains where fire command fits alongside law enforcement, EMS and event organizers, and why unclear roles create operational risk long before crowds gather. Tune in to hear from an expert how to anticipate and mitigate risk.

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by L3 Harris. L3Harris is a leading supplier of mission-critical communications systems and equipment for local, state and federal firefighter agencies. We have more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications with over 500 systems now in use around the world. Learn more at L3Harris.com. 

Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

It’s time to track your incidents. Chief Oates explains how and why

“Document everything.” It’s advice commonly given in legal, medical and workplace settings — and now the fire service. Tracking fireground exposures, traumatic calls, hazmat incidents and even workplace incivility gives firefighters a reliable record to reference if health, insurance or legal questions arise later. Chief John Oates explains how the IPSDI Exposure Tracker allows firefighters to document the full scope of the job, including the calls they may not think matter at the time. Because the tracker is confidential and not connected to department or federal systems, it serves as a personal record you control. After all, you don’t always know which calls will follow you, but having them documented can make all the difference.

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 feedback or suggest guests for future episodes.

Should firefighters work out in their gear? Annette Zapp breaks it down

Several years ago, a trend emerged on social media: Firefighters working out in their turnout gear under the guise of the “train like you play” philosophy. It’s not a bad idea but, as retired firefighter and human performance researcher Annette Zapp explains, some went beyond functional fitness workouts to include more traditional workouts — something like burpees, hardly enjoyable under normal circumstances, now with the extra weight of PPE. Is it even safe? Zapp is digging into the data. But not to worry, she adds: “I can make you really powerful outside your gear.”

Zapp also talks creatine for firefighters, health monitoring tools and technology, and the importance of taking care of “future you” now, with practical advice for how to do just that.

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 feedback or suggest guests for future episodes.

Your 2025 after-action review

Chief Jason Caughey joins Zam this week to put a cap on 2025 — a reflection on fire service challenges and achievements, plus opportunities for growth in the new year. Tune in to hear their takes on recent hazing controversies, staffing impacts, leadership accountability and other hot topics from the year. Zam and Caughey also share their milestone moments from the year and how they are hoping to get out of their comfort zones in the new year.

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. This holiday season, listeners receive 10% off now through Dec. 31 with promo code FRP10. Visit TheFireStore.com for Everything but the Truck. 

Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for an upcoming episode.

‘Chiefing 101’: The evolving nature of the fire chief role

The fire chief job is quite simply not what it used to be — it’s a lot MORE. Assistant Chief (ret.) Jo-Ann Lorber details how the fire chief role has expanded over the years, plus the impact of technology, heightened expectations of accountability and transparency, and how to square these new responsibilities amid a culture focused more and more on life-work balance. Lorber underscores the power of delegation and empowering other chief officers to step up and expand their own leadership abilities.

BONUS: Download a checklist based on Lorber’s fire chief’s playbook.

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. This holiday season, listeners receive 10% off now through Dec. 31 with promo code FRP10. Visit TheFireStore.com for Everything but the Truck. 

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

‘Stop killing people in training’: Carey’s call to action

Bill Carey’s recent article “Everyone goes home — except some recruits and applicants” sparked a lot of conversation about fatalities that occur during agility tests and academy drills, and the need for tougher medical screening, heat-stress limits and on-site EMS. The former lieutenant breaks down what the data tells us about firefighter training deaths, plus the “muddiness” of LODD classifications. Carey, who also serves as associate editor for FireRescue1, shares a peek behind the curtain of news posting and reporting and encourages you to share news tips and article ideas.

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. This holiday season, listeners receive 10% off now through Dec. 31 with promo code FRP10. Visit TheFireStore.com for Everything but the Truck. 

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

‘Lead yourself first to lead others better’: Chief Randy Bruegman returns

Chief Randy Bruegman returns to Better Every Shift to discuss the vacuum of good leaders in the fire service and the many ways leaders (and aspiring leaders) can elevate their leadership game. Zam and the Bruegman tackle marketing mindsets, common traits of strong leaders, plus all this:

• Managing fast-paced change
• Strategic visioning
• “4 minutes to excellence”
• The Leadership Crucible Foundation
• The Glatfelter Scholarship Foundation

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.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

Chad Crouse talks AI: We can’t ‘outsource all the thinking’

AI can be an incredible tool, but as Division Chief Chad Crouse explains, we can’t use it to “outsource all the thinking.” There are critical parts of the job that require your personal development and review. Chief Crouse breaks down not only when and where to use tools like ChatGPT but also how to maximize their output so you have more time for more important tasks or key parts of the job — like training and connecting with your members. Zam and Crouse cover all this and more:

• AI sycophancy (or as Zam calls it, “AI brown-nosing”)
• Why AI works so well for small departments
• When AI is “cheating”

BONUS: Chief Crouse will speak on AI fundamentals at the IAFC’s Technology Summit International, Dec. 9-11 in Irving, Texas. Learn more and register today.

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.

How to process challenging calls: Dr. Derrick Edwards shares the key step

If you’ve ever been mentally “stuck,” replaying a particularly challenging call or ruminating on a conversation that angered you, then this is the time to tune in. We’re revisiting a powerful episode with Dr. Derrick Edwards, a 20-year fire service veteran who also serves as a professional counselor, digging into several psychological concepts that impact firefighter work and home life. Edwards — aka “Father ’Stache” — also shares how he became a fire service chaplain and why chaplaincy is so similar to counseling.

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 feedback. 

‘We’re all in this together’: Chief Mary Cameli talks innovation and regional support

Why is everyone in Arizona so friendly? It’s a regional thing — an approach to customer service and community care that originated with fire service legends like Chiefs Alan Brunacini and Dennis Compton. And Mesa (Arizona) Fire Chief Mary Cameli is keeping that torch lit with the department’s strong focus on CRR, member health and safety, and mutual/automatic-aid agreements. Chief Cameli joins the show this week to highlight how innovation underpins so much of the work underway in Mesa, and why staying current with new technology and data-driven decision-making is essential to organizational strength.

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.