
FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.
Episodes

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Chief Kevin Quinn: ‘If you do retention right, you don’t have a recruitment problem’
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
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.
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