Better Every Shift

‘Just call people out’: Dr. Candace Ashby on defeating toxicity at the firehouse

Indianapolis Battalion Chief Dr. Candace Ashby takes an honest, humor-driven tell-it-like-it-is approach to leadership, urging company officers, and really all members, to call out bad behavior when they see it. Imagine the tone shift and culture change possible, she says, if company officers told their members to, “Pull your head out of your ass and act like you got some damn sense” at the moment of offense.

Plus, we dig into all of this:

• Being proactive when you’re unhappy with FD leadership;
• Her favorite activity to build crew camaraderie.
• Simple advice for leaders trying to problem-solve FD issues;
• The insanity of not teaching soft skills to officers; and
• How to overcome a “screw this place” mindset that can arise during any career.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Chief Jim Keiken: ‘You have to periodically reinvent yourself’

It all comes full circle on this episode of the podcast, as we are joined by IFSI Director Jim Keiken, the man ultimately responsible for unleashing Zam on the fire service. Keiken hired Zam at the Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department – just one example of his ability to mentor new firefighters and set them up for success. Following his time in Madison, Keiken embraced a great “second career” with the Illinois Fire Service Institute, where he continues to support firefighters from across the country through research, training and leadership development.

We dig into all of this:

• IFSI’s newest programs that are helping develop the next set of fire service leaders
• How to motivate firefighters who find themselves in a lull in their career
• Why we can’t give up on the younger generation of firefighters
• Keiken’s memories of Zam’s early days in the fire department

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Corley Moore: ‘If you’re not having fun doing this job, you are doing it wrong’

It’s another high-energy, passion-fueled podcast, as Battalion Chief Corley Moore joins Zam and Janelle to dissect fire service culture, toxic leadership and how to fight your way back from complacency. Chief Moore – founder of Firehouse Vigilance and host of the Weekly Scrap podcast – details his own evolution from struggling with complacency to serving as a motivational speaker and instructor.

We dig into all of this:

• Moore’s empathy for burned out, complacent members
• The origins of the “The 9L’s: Keys to High Performance Culture,” plus Moore’s favorite “L”
• The scene in the movie “The Break-Up” that exemplifies intrinsic motivation
• Finding balance between being right and being effective
• The power of having a plan because “luck and hope are not strategies”

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘A flowchart mindset’: UL FSRI researchers talk dynamic decisions on the fireground

The highly complex, dynamic nature of the fireground makes adaptive thinking particularly vital for firefighters and incident commanders. Our guests on this podcast – Keith Stakes and Craig Weinschenk, UL Fire Safety Research Institute research engineers – break down how to incorporate such critical thinking into training, plus the importance of using a “flowchart mindset” to manage nuance on the fireground. They also detail the newly released FSRI research, “Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Family Single-Story Residential Structures.”

We dig into all of this:

• The biggest takeaways – and surprises – from the data
• Remove the victim or seal the space – what should come first?
• The conditions for breaking a policy

Episode power quote: “People should be taking research and utilizing that to be more aggressive while at the same time being safer and more efficient.”

Hot seat sneak peek: Favorite (and least favorite) subjects in school

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Lithium-ion battery fire hazards, training, resources for firefighters

How many lithium-ion batteries do you have in your house? We’ve all got ’em, which means there are countless opportunities for them to spark. On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle speak with Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine about the Firefighter Safety Stand Down, this year focused on Li-ion battery fires. Wallentine, who represents the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival section, one of the Safety Stand Down partner organizations, highlights training opportunities and resources, shares life safety messaging for the community, and addresses the evolution of the Li-ion battery issue, from EVs to e-bikes and beyond.

We dig into all of this:

• Behind the scenes of the theme-selection process
• Extinguishment tools for Li-ion battery fires
• The newest Li-ion battery dangers
• Don’t miss: A big tip for people charging e-mobility devices at home
• Resources roundup: FireRescue1 Safety Stand Down resource center

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

The Goldfeders: ‘The fire service has been wonderful to this family’

This week’s episode is extra “golden,” as Zam says, because we have not one, but two Goldfeders on the show – Loveland-Symmes Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder and his son Brian Goldfeder, a captain with the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Fire/EMS Department. The Goldfeders dig into all things fire families – and if you know Billy, you know he’s all about family.

The team gets into all of this: Billy’s reactions and advice when Brian first considered joining the fire service; what it was like being a “coach’s kid” in the fire service – and when to use the coach as a sounding board; and finding balance between family life and work life – and why the fire service makes that so difficult.

Don’t miss: The mini-academy concept for fire families

Episode power quote: “As a firefighter, we are always talking about serving others, helping others, being selfless; well, you gotta be that way at home too.”

Hot seat sneak peek: Brian’s best advice for newly promoted members

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘It’s an honor’: Victor Stagnaro on his new role as NFFF CEO

Victor Stagnaro joins the podcast to talk about his recent appointment as CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Stagnaro had previously served as the NFFF managing director, overseeing family and fire service programs, and now steps into the role of CEO, succeeding Chief Ron Siarnicki. We dig into all of this: Stagnaro’s primary focus over the next few months; who he’ll turn to for advice during the transition and beyond; new ways the foundation can support families; and how firefighters can champion the NFFF mission. Don’t miss: Who Victor calls the wisest man he’s every met. Hot Seat sneak peek: Stair climb motivational music

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘Attack every situation’: Vince Bettinazzi shares shift expectations

Today’s podcast unpacks the complex topic of go/no-go decision-making, focusing on vertical ventilation and search tactics. Our guest for the discussion is Training Chief Vince Bettinazzi, who authored one of the articles in FireRescue1’s latest training tool, “Go/no-go decision making on the fireground,” which is available to download and share with your crews.

We dig into all of this: “Aggressive” vs. “attack” semantics; how to update size-up reports; pulling off AARs even when you can’t gather the full crew; and more. Plus, don’t miss: Bettinazzi’s pocket doors pro tip for search crews.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Cebollero: ‘We need to reverse the organizational chart’ in EMS

EMS leader and advocate Chris Cebollero joins Better Every Shift for a very special crossover event. No, this isn’t the One Chicago universe but rather the Lexipol Media Group universe, with Inside EMS podcast co-host Cebollero joining Zam and Janelle to talk all things fire-based EMS, leadership, community paramedicine and more. Cebollero digs into some of the pressing issues facing EMS, including the need for leaders to prioritize the workforce and give members every opportunity to succeed. The team gets into all of this: A critical rule for handling mental health calls; the secret for motivating a workforce; what Cebollero sees as the future of EMS in 5-10 years; and Cebollero’s “advice to the haters” who don’t want to run EMS calls.

Don’t miss: The one call that has stayed with Cebollero throughout his career

Hot seat sneak peek: His favorite Inside EMS episodes

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Nick Martin: ‘When the bell rings, it’s game time’

Digging into all things training, culture and motivation, this week’s show features Nick Martin, division chief with the City of Salisbury (N.C.) Fire Department and founder and president of Combat Ready Fire Training. The team hits on several topics: What it means to be combat-ready for the job; the difference between aggressive and reckless fire attack; stories of Martin’s personal evolution on the job and the standard to which he now holds himself; vetting trainers in a world when anyone can have their own social media channel; and the power of sharing the “why” with new members.

Don’t miss: Martin’s take on the “bashing” that occurs online among firefighters.

Episode power quote: “One thing I’ve learned about culture is you attract what you advertise. If you advertise that you’re the fire department where you can sit in a recliner and get paid, then that’s exactly who’s going to come work for you.”

Hot seat sneak peek: The chief's personal favorite drill.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!