Better Every Shift

Dr. Burton Clark examines fire service safety culture

Dr. Burton Clark, a 50-year fire service veteran, tackles firefighter behavior and organizational culture in order to help identify what prevents firefighters from taking proper safety precautions, even when they know it's the right thing to do.

Dr. David Black discusses his work with firefighters on behavioral health and mental fitness

Dr. David Black, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Cordico, discusses mental fitness within the fire service, addressing why firefighters don't seek help for behavioral health concerns, as well as how firefighters and fire service leaders can help each other and themselves when stresses grow.

Firefighter James Pribyl shares why he became a volunteer firefighter

Firefighter James Pribyl shares his experience as a volunteer firefighter with Turkey Creek Fire Rescue in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, and its connections to his time as an active-duty Marine for 19 years. Pribyl also shares an honest look at a typical day of a volunteer firefighter, based on his FireRescue1 article "I am your local volunteer firefighter."

Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder explains what keeps chiefs up at night -- and where to focus training

Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder details the problem with "personality-based mutual aid," how crews can integrate policy into daily operations, tips for maintaining fire department relevance, and the key issue that keeps fire chiefs up at night -- and how to solve it.

Gordon Graham talks response coordination and Lexipol Connect

Graham addresses how public safety agencies can employ training and policies to ensure their response efforts have a synergistic effect, rather than three agencies operating in silos. He also shares details about the Lexipol Connect Virtual User Group Conference on Oct. 14, 2020.

Chief Randy Bruegman outlines critical issues impacting the future of the fire service

Chief Randy Bruegman discusses the recent CPSE/ICMA white paper “21st Century Fire & Emergency Services,” designed to stir debate, create dialogue and promote conversations about the changes facing the next generation of leaders, not only in the fire service but also in local government.

Keith Stakes explains the recent UL FSRI research into coordinated fire attack

Keith Stakes, a research engineer with the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute, describes the recent studies into coordinated fire attack, looking at the impact of ventilation on single-family home fires, multi-family dwelling fires and strip mall fires.

Division Chief Greg Ward details Loveland‘s Tactical Firefighting Teams

Loveland (Colorado) Fire Rescue Authority Division Chief Greg Ward explains the origins and purpose of the department's Tactical Firefighting (TAC Fire) Teams, which function as a critical element of the police department's SWAT Team, to respond to mass violence incidents.

Side Alpha Podcast: Baltimore Chief Niles Ford talks navigating politics and budgets

Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford examines the unique challenges facing fire chiefs in the modern era, from COVID-19 to civil unrest, and how leaders can best navigate the challenges of politics and budgets during such unique times.

Side Alpha Podcast: Chief Jason Caughey talks volunteer leadership

Fire Chief Jason Caughey discusses a variety of volunteer fire department challenges, plus how to manage different generations among volunteers while always maintaining the public's trust.