Better Every Shift

‘The impact is generational’: An award-winning rescue provides perspective

It was a “constant state of readiness” that contributed to the successful rescue of an unconscious victim from a structure fire – an incident that ultimately earned Hilton Head Island (S.C.) Fire Rescue FAO Brendan Horlbeck, Lt. Sean Kavlick and Battalion Chief David Bell the 2023 IAFC Ben Franklin Award of Valor. Bell, Kavlick and Horlbeck detail the incident response, plus get into all this:

• How a unique dispatch note was the difference between life and death

• The generational impact of a single rescue

• The urgent reminder that this type of fire could happen to any crew at any time

Enjoying the show? Send an email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘A lot to absorb’: Here’s what you missed at FDIC 2024

“It’s about bells and whistles, but it’s also about smiles and connecting.” Another FDIC has come and gone, but our cohosts are joined by The Fire Store’s Amanda Keesey to talk conference highlights and which industry innovations garnered the most attention on the exhibit floor. Plus, we dig into all this:

• Emerging solutions for electric vehicle fires

• How the industry is leaning into health and wellness

• The demand for flashlights

Additional resources:

• National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer

• FireRescue1's FDIC coverage

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.

Corley Moore: ‘I understand how insidious and seductive complacency is’

The Better Every Shift team is at FDIC this week, so we’re reaching into the vault to re-release one of our favorite episodes. Battalion Chief Corley Moore talks all things 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 now serving as a motivational speaker and instructor. Plus, 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!

Lt. Zam goes to Emmitsburg: Insights from a National Fire Academy first-timer

“Our mission is to support you in your mission.” Eriks Gabliks, superintendent of the National Fire Academy, joins the show to talk all things NFA programs and goals, and to hear about Zam’s first time visiting the campus and experiencing NFA life.

Gabliks knocks down the top excuses firefighters give for why they can’t attend the academy and details how the program is continually evolving in sync with fire service culture. Plus, we dig into all this:

• How the campus experience rejuvenates passion for the fire service

• The American history embedded in the NFA campus

• Why one of the top NFA-attendee complaints features ice cream sprinkles

Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share feedback and offer guest suggestions!

Stephanie White: 'Laughter is the simplest, cheapest thing we can give our firefighters'

“It’s about crew bonding and laughter in my firehouse – and apparently me being the butt of every joke.” Fairfax Firefighter-Paramedic Stephanie White details how she nurtures her relationship with her crew every shift, not just with laughter, but also by being vulnerable enough to have difficult conversations when needed. Plus, we dig into all this:

• How crews can best support a pregnant firefighter on the job
• Why the color of White’s hair can determine the potential for shift chaos
• How to create a space for vulnerable conversations and real talk

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.

‘We’re going (100 miles per week) streaking!’ with FF/ultra-runner Andy Glaze

Captain Andy Glaze is on a four-year streak of running 100+ miles per week, and while he’s not suggesting that all firefighters attempt the same feat, he does urge movement: “Movement is medicine.” Glaze shares his journey from drinking and smoking to becoming an ultra-marathon runner, and how physical fitness helped him manage his mental health. From ultra anxiety to ultra resilience, Glaze describes the power of setting goals, finding motivation in embracing challenges, and the importance of community.  Plus, we dig into all this:

• The power of ice baths – misery during and elation after
• Running laps around the station with radio in hand
• Glaze’s running-related challenge to firefighters
• Pushing through the “pain cave” to find gratitude

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.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘Build your band’: Country music star Frank Ray on the power of peer support

“I saved George Strait’s life, and he doesn’t even know.” Country star Frank Ray shares that story and many more as he details his unique journey from law enforcement to the music scene. Ray recently visited more than 50 fire and police departments across the U.S. and Canada to spotlight first responder mental health, addressing the power of forming a support system and speaking up about personal struggles.

Plus, we did into all of this:

• Ray’s mental health initiative, FRAY
• How music impacted his first responder career
• Why having a hobby outside of work is critical
• The musicians who have inspired Ray throughout his career

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘You saved Hawkeye’: Inside the Jeremy Renner snowplow incident response

“Every second mattered.” When actor Jeremy Renner was severely injured in a snowcat accident last year, Truckee Meadows Fire Rescue crews’ swift action and medical intervention played a crucial role in saving Renner's life. TMFR Firefighter-Paramedic Alex Hughes and Captain Greg Lompa join the show to share operational details from the call, plus we dig into all this:

• The critical role of teamwork amid equipment failures

• Why backup plans are a key part of public safety planning

• Preparing for weather-related obstacles at challenging scenes

• “It's not about the limelight; it's about being able to perform when you need to.”

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.

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘What is your learning culture?’: Chris Paskett details how to encourage idea-sharing

“Do your folks come to work expecting to learn something new? Or is it a surprise when they are asked to go to a class or a drill? That’s culture.” Battalion Chief Chris Paskett wants to create a culture of learning in the fire service, where organizational education is baked into the daily routine. He offers four (of 20!) areas where departments can seek to encourage a top-down focus on continuing education and ways to evolve the culture to support that goal.

Plus, we did into all of this:

• How to create bite-sized daily trainings that move the needle
• The impact of learning styles and why they matter
• Looking for small wins with learning

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by Columbia Southern University. Learn more about how you can earn an affordable, accredited quality degree 100% online at ColumbiaSouthern.edu/Fire.

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. You can also follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts. And email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

‘Have a date on the calendar’: Joe De Sena’s pro-tip for staying motivated

Joe De Sena – the founder and CEO of the Spartan endurance sports brand – has long said his vision is “to get 100 million people healthy and off the couch,” and now he’s adding a million to that goal with his pledge of a free Spartan race to all firefighters. That’s right, De Sena made the big announcement during this week's show. De Sena’s a realist, though. He knows not everyone is ready for the world of endurance sports, so he shares some words of wisdom to meet firefighters where they’re at, namely, “It doesn’t have to be everything, but it has to be something; do something every single day.”

Plus, we dig into all this:

• Three things he learned in his youth from a local organized crime family
• The motivational power of a calendar
• His philosophy on working out the stress
• Why we need to gamify our health

Register for a free Spartan race here – and let Zam know if you want a race partner.

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.