Better Every Shift

Firefighter and finance expert Matthew Broom details how firefighters can stay smart about money

Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Broom, who also works in financial services, discusses how firefighters can conduct a financial size-up, tips for strengthening financial health, what firefighters need to know about selecting the right pension, and financial concerns to address leading up to retirement. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by EFJohnson, a JVCKENWOOD company. As a leader in mission-critical communications for more than 90 years, we have made it our mission to make safe, simple. Visit EFJohnson online at www.efjohnson.com.

Chief Ralph Terrazas shares LAFD‘s approach to county COVID-19 surges, plus vaccine distribution

Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas details the department's vaccine distribution plan for members, which focuses on education, influence and incentives. He reflects on the LAFD members who lost their lives to COVID-19, and shares a message that one member expressed prior to his passing. Chief Terrazas also explains how the department has responded to the mental health impacts on members during the ongoing crisis. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by EFJohnson, a JVCKENWOOD company. As a leader in mission-critical communications for more than 90 years, we have made it our mission to make safe, simple. Visit EFJohnson online at www.efjohnson.com.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor tackles the debate over patient transport in the engine

Chief Bashoor weighs in on the hotly debated news of an Oklahoma City firefighter being disciplined for his decision to transport a burn victim in the fire engine after waiting 20 minutes for EMS to arrive. While the parents expressed their gratitude for the firefighter's proactive move, the firefighter was disciplined for violating department policy and state law. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by EFJohnson, a JVCKENWOOD company. As a leader in mission-critical communications for more than 90 years, we have made it our mission to make safe, simple. Visit EFJohnson online at www.efjohnson.com.

Fire Chief Tiffany Green explores professional development, from cadet through chief

Prince George's County Fire Chief Tiffany Green talks with Chief Bashoor about professional development in the fire service, detailing the department's fire cadet program, and shares her experience being the first female African-American chief of the department. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by EFJohnson, a JVCKENWOOD company. As a leader in mission-critical communications for more than 90 years, we have made it our mission to make safe, simple. Visit EFJohnson online at www.efjohnson.com.

Fire Chief John Tippett discusses the impact of crew resource management on the fire service

Chief John B. Tippett, Jr., the director of fire service programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), addresses how the principles of crew resource management can improve safety on the fireground, and shares some of the newest initiatives of the NFFF. Read more from Chief Tippett at www.firerescue1.com/columnists/john-tippett. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by EFJohnson, a JVCKENWOOD company. As a leader in mission-critical communications for more than 90 years, we have made it our mission to make safe, simple. Visit EFJohnson online at www.efjohnson.com.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor addresses the Constitutional crisis facing America

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor addresses the current Constitutional crisis facing the country and the protests at the U.S. Capitol, where hundreds gathered to dispute the recent presidential election results. Chief Bashoor addresses the responsibility of first responders to serve their communities, and country, with honor; how to avoid the traps of social media; freedom of speech debates; and much more.

Marc Bashoor and Janelle Foskett reflect on a year unlike any other

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor and FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett reflect on a most challenging year, discussing the unprecedented challenges fire and EMS personnel faced due to COVID-19 and civil unrest, while also considering some of the bright moments from 2020, including words of encouragement from fire service leaders.

Mike Pertz tackles why members leave the fire service and offers advice for new recruits

Mike Pertz, a firefighter-paramedic with the Avon Lake (Ohio) Fire Department, offers tips to prospective firefighters facing challenges joining the ranks, addresses some of the misconceptions recruits have about the fire service, and tackles the key reasons members ultimately leave the fire service, and what leaders can do to keep them interested in a career in firefighting.

Gordon Graham details the top risks facing firefighters – and how to avoid them

Gordon Graham, a risk management expert and co-founder of Lexipol, delineates the 10 families of risk, identifying the single risk that poses the biggest threat to firefighters as well as the fastest-growing risk within the fire service. Graham offers advice to all levels of fire service personnel about how to stay safe and out of trouble.

2019 LODD data: Analyzing the USFA report amid the push to ‘Get Below 50’

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor breaks down the U.S. Fire Administration report summarizing the fire service line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) in 2019, spotlighting the decrease in death totals, highlighting commons causes and reinforcing the push to "Get Below 50" LODDs in a single year.