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 Dec 29, 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle dig into the year that was, from the major incidents that are still top of mind to our “words of the year.”
What else …
- Hot topic: The electric vehicle “mixed bag” of coverage
- Holiday hot seat sneak peek: Our professional milestones
- Episode power quote: “It’s been a heavy year … but we don’t get called in when someone has a good day.”
- Don’t miss: What Firefighters Want in 2023 theme announced
Resources we mentioned on the show …
- 2022 Year in Review: Major events and milestone moments
- 2022: The year in fire photos
- ‘Quiet quitting’: How fire officers can combat the phenomenon
- When firefighters quit en masse
- ‘The Great Resignation’: It could go either way for the fire service
- ‘This is not what I signed up for’: Why some firefighters simply don’t understand the job
- NYC, Philly tragedies highlight need to strengthen CRR efforts, trauma support
- Firefighters share support for Ukrainian fire crews on front lines of military action
- Video: FF injured as crews continue work on Walmart warehouse fire
- Dangerous lake-effect snow wallops New York
- Video: FDNY firefighters rescue individuals from high-rise fire that injured 38
- Electric vehicles and fire apparatus resources
- Video: Ragú delivers 792 jars of pasta sauce to Okla. firefighters
- ‘I saw you on TikTok’: The fire service recruitment strategy no one is talking about
- Lexipol Media Sites Recognized for Editorial Excellence in B2B Journalism
- crew frees kitten from Walmart soda machine, suggests 'Pepsi' for a name
- FF's son injured in Wis. Christmas parade incident walks again
- A year after tragedy, the Dancing Grannies ‘celebrate life’ in return to the Waukesha Christmas parade
- FDNY’s Frank Leeb: ‘We can do better. Start today.’
Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam talks to Bozeman (Montana) Fire Chief Josh Waldo about making incremental changes, whether at the individual or organizational level, plus all this:
- Waldo’s gut-check moment that changed his fire service trajectory;
- The first thing he did when he arrived at the Bozeman FD;
- An inside look at his new opportunity with the IAFC; and
- What fires him up more than anything from his firefighters.
What else …
- Don’t miss: His experience with ESPN GameDay’s visit to Bozeman
- Hot seat sneak peek: Favorite concert
- Episode power quote: “If you’re doing things the same way you were 5, 7, 10 years ago, you fell behind a little bit. That’s just the way things are in our profession.”
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Oakland Fire Chief Reggie Freeman joins Zam to talk:
- The unspoken battle – or war – between new and older members;
- Changing how we define competence;
- Why diversity is a choice for fire departments;
- Chiefs who have forgotten where they came from;
- The motivation of injustice; and
- His kids’ future in the fire service (??).
What else …
- Hot seat sneak peek: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- Don’t miss: His advice to his 18-year-old self.
- Episode power-quote: “Family inspires me, injustice motivates me.”
Additional resources
Chief Reginald Freeman tapped to lead Oakland Fire Department
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Dr. Sara Jahnke, director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, joins Zam to bond over their shared forgetfulness of their own articles and, more importantly, the reality of translating fire service science to real-world tactics and behavior, plus all this:
- Her “fourth-child” project – the Science Alliance (and merch!);
- Simple steps for positive change;
- The power of positive peer pressure;
- The motivating story about cigarettes in fire service culture; and
- Her pop culture black hole, even with Coolio;
What else …
- Don’t miss: The data point that made her gasp
- Hot seat sneak peek: Her “walk-up” song
- Episode power quote: “People say, ‘I’m not a scientist, I’m just a firefighter,’ but I’m not a firefighter, I’m just a scientist.”
- Did you catch the movie quote? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com
Stuff we mentioned on the show …
Science to the Station: A Health & Wellness Alliance (aka Science Alliance)
- Sign up here, enter code ZAM for a free year membership to the Science Alliance
Additional resources
Read more from Dr. Jahnke about studies related to opioid use, shift schedules, alcohol use, Long-COVID and more.
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, FDNY Deputy Chief Frank Leeb joins Zam to talk about what it means to be better every run, every day, every shift, plus:
- The transferability of experience – and lessons learned;
- The power of tracking small failures;
- The greatest threat to today’s firefighters;
- What we do too much, too late and too fast; and
- The best advice he’s ever received – and that he passes on to others.
What else …
- Don’t miss: Twin Parks fire review and analysis
- Hot seat sneak peek: Favorite firehouse meal
- Episode power quote: “Why can’t we learn the lesson that somebody else paid the price for maybe thousands of miles away?”
Stuff we mentioned on the show …
- What Firefighters Want in 2022: Fireground Leadership (Digital Edition – free download)
- After-action reviews: Because the ‘perfect fire’ doesn’t exist
- WHO cancer division reclassifies firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogenic profession
- FDNY: Constant use of multiple space heaters sparked fire that killed 17
Additional resources
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
This episode of the Side Alpha podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology for first responders on the front lines. Learn more at verizon.com/frontline.
In this special crossover episode, public safety leaders come together to reflect on the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the legacy of 9/11 in the emergency services.
Inside EMS host Chris Cebollero is joined by Policing Matters host Jim Dudley, deputy chief (ret.), of the San Francisco Police Department; and Gary Ludwig, of the Champaign (Illinois) Fire Department, the 2022 IAFC Career Fire Chief of the Year.
Together, they discuss how first responders have continued to move forward for over 20 years now and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 as recruits enter public safety who were not even born yet at the time.
The focus is on honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and lived up to their oath to help others in their time of need, the legacy of lessons learned about responding in a hazardous situation, ongoing vigilance against threats and why “never forget” should not be a cavalier statement, but one made with meaning, purpose and with emphasis.
Read more recollections, as well as how lessons learned are impacting the way first responders of today train and respond to incidents in our 9/11 coverage, sponsored by Verizon.
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Wednesday May 11, 2022
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor discusses some of his favorite episodes and reveals some of the most popular shows. If you're new to the podcast, this is a great place to start, learning what other listeners found most engaging and which of the more than 100 shows to dive into first.
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr reflects on her fire service career, serving as a fire chief for multiple departments and as the first woman elected to serve as president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). A fourth-generation firefighter, Kerr also served as president of the IAFC’s METRO section and president of the National Society of Executive Fire Officers, and was appointed by President Obama to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Chief Kerr discusses these opportunities and others, while also touching on the importance of higher education in the fire service.
This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit Lexipol.com.
Monday Apr 18, 2022
Monday Apr 18, 2022
There are countless benefits to higher education for firefighters – not only understanding the profession better but also becoming a better communicator, both verbally and on the written page, and enhancing critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Today's podcast features Bryon Gustafson, assistant professor and director of the Master of Public Safety program at the University of Virginia, about the benefits of higher education for firefighters, plus some of the leadership challenges currently facing the fire service. Dr. Gustafson has served in a variety of public service roles, mostly on the law enforcement side, but he got his start in the fire service.
This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit Lexipol.com.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor unpacks the issue of what we call ourselves, specifically related to the use of the word "firemen" vs. "firefighter" in the names of fire service associations and organizations.
This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit Lexipol.com.