Firehouse

Leadership & Retention Ideas for Volunteer Fire Departments – Brandon Fletcher

Peter Matthews talks with Gilt Edge, TN, Fire Chief Brandon Fletcher about the challenges facing today’s volunteer fire service, plus an innovative program to help retain existing members.  
Fletcher outlines some of the top factors that are impacting the rolls and operations of departments today, including a dive into volunteer-focused leadership, politics and personalities and how to keep members engaged, whether on calls or training. He digs into several challenges that he’s seen firsthand and has learned from others. He goes on to share a program he implemented that allows for grant funding to bring members to national training conferences that not only improves their knowledge and networking but serves as a reward for their dedication to the department. 
Fletcher also talks about his experiences as a family escort for the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD. He has had the honor of escorting the families of the fallen throughout the memorial weekend events for three years, and he explains how that has impacted him as a fire chief, ensuring that his members do all they can to stay safe. 
Resources 
Volunteer View: Alternative Funding Sources to Enhance Department Operations 
Volunteer View: Retention Through Leadership 
Brandon Fletcher’s Firehouse contributor page 
Connect with Brandon Fletcher on LinkedIn 
FireFusion 
Station Design Conference 
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend   

Where is Community Risk Reduction Today – Daniel Byrne, Laura Kondor, Ben Shearer

Peter Matthews talks with Daniel Byrne, Laura Konor and Ben Shearer about new approaches to Community Risk Reduction (CRR) and fire prevention in 2024, and what has changed with public outreach since COVID-19. Byrne is an assistant chief with the Burton, SC, Fire District, Kondor is fire safety coordinator for the North Charleston, SC, Fire Department and Shearer is community risk reduction specialist with the Pasco, WA, Fire Department. 
They discuss how COVID-19 impacted the fire service’s reach in-person reach, whether through in-school visits, open houses, or community events and how that created a shift to digital learning. Since then, some departments have had more requests than ever from the community, forcing them to select the groups they meet with to talk about life safety. 
The group shares advice for Fire Prevention Week success and year-round outreach concept that help fire departments connect with their communities at multiple levels. The three talk about how they have partnered with organizations and used fire department data to target education to certain groups, and close out the show with CRR wins and losses from their views. 
Ben Shearer
Laura Kondor
Daniel Byrne
Resources 
Fire Prevention Week  

Training Turns into Mayday, Close Call – Ragan Underwood

Peter Matthews talks with Capt. Ragan Underwood from the St. George, LA, Fire Department about a close call he had during a training burn where he was caught the flow path and was trapped in the home when the incident commander radioed for crews to leave the structure. 
Underwood, a veteran instructor and member of the Insight Training cadre, was taking part in a live fire training at a home in Illinois when he sent crews out of the home and went to cool down the fire before exiting. The fire took off and he was caught in the fire and got disoriented and suffered from exposure to serious heat around his hood and SCBA facepiece.  
While he was trying to find his way out and could hear the RIT crew making progress toward his location, command pulled crews out of the house saying it was too far gone, leaving Underwood in the home as conditions worsened. At that moment, his life changed, and he reflects on what happened after that. 
Underwood shares how careful communications and breathing techniques can help calm a firefighter during a mayday, and what officers should know about this situation. He explains how this incident changed his approach to training and operations and what he shares with those back home and when he’s on the road teaching. 
Resources 
FireFusion 

Tactics for the Known and Unknowns at Warehouse Fires – Brian Gettemeier

Peter Matthews talks with Brian Gettemeier, a captain with the Cottleville Fire Protection District in St. Charles County, MO, about fires in warehouses, including sprawling ecommerce facilities that are being built in communities large and small. 
Gettemeier began instructing and writing on the topic of the dangers and challenges on warehouse fires after seeing several fires in such facilities that caused multi-million dollar loses and smaller fires that were contained by sprinklers as fires break out in rural and urban areas. 
They talk about the dangers revolving around rack storage, the heavy fire loads and types of products that are being stored, worker and firefighter life safety and accountability and other tactical considerations, including initial and long-term resources, apparatus placement and the need for a strong water supply. 
Gettemeier also looks at the role of the initial incident commander, the need for a 360-degree size-up and establishing an in-depth incident command post if the scope of the incident requires it. In order to prepare for such incidents, the departments need to begin preplanning and walk-throughs as soon as possible. 
He also touches on the need understanding a department’s liability when these facilities come to you community, which often begins with the fire chief or fire marshal starting the discussions from the early stages related to building and life safety codes. 
Resources 
Brian Gettemeier’s Firehouse bio page & articles  
FM Global Firefighter Training  
FM Global Fireground Checklist  
FireFusion 

Staying Motivated & Truck Company Leadership – Sean Eagen

Peter Matthews talks with Capt. Sean Eagen from the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department about his role as a company officer and commander, plus how today’s busy fire service can stay motivated through tough times. Eagen shares leadership advice and crew management ideas, including the ability to communicate with groups across multiple platforms.
Eagen, coming from a busy city in the urban rust belt of America, talks about the ways to keep firefighters motivated, despite equipment troubles, city politics and budgets and busy shifts. Despite the challenges, he reminds firefighters they signed up to do the job, no matter what the situation they face.
He shares tips on how to create training opportunities and pass along streets smarts, whether it’s 1 p.m. or 2 a.m., especially to help the large number of newer firefighters on the street engaged and educated.
 
Resources:
Sean Eagen’s Firehouse bio page & articles
Today on Firehouse Podcast – Episode 3: Maydays & More with Sean Eagen

Survival for the New Fire Company Officer – James Jester

Peter Matthews talks with Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Chief James “Jay” Jester about how to survive the promotion to company officer. They talk about the common and surprising challenges news officers face and how to prepare for the new rank, where their responsibility grows as they supervise crews.  
Jester shares how officers, whether from volunteer or career fire companies, become an integral part of the department’s structure both in the station and on the fireground. He outlines some of the most important traits new officers should have, skills they should already be well versed in and what key elements they can study to prepare for on their leadership journey.  
The transition from buddy to boss is explored, often causing some unexpected challenges for new officers and he shares advice on how to move past that situation, plus understanding the responsibility an officer has to their firefighter’s families.  
The two also talk about mental health for firefighters and the officer’s role in monitoring their members, plus mayday training and the importance of setting a list of situations that require a mayday being called.  
Resources 
James Jester’s Firehouse bio page & articles  
From Buddy to Boss by Chase Sargent  
 

Removing the Ego from Today’s Firefighter Training – Jesiah Newsome

Peter Matthews talks with Reading, PA, firefighter Jesiah Newsome about the importance of keeping training both motivational and inspiring, especially for younger firefighters. They also discuss how a big hurdle in today’s training is the ego of instructors, and how they can lead to negative experiences.  
Newsome explains the need to create a positive learning environment from rookie school, throughout their career. He is also a deputy chief with the Blandon Fire Company in Berks County, PA, and both a state and national fire service, sharing his experiences from each role on this podcast. 
He approaches the fire service with the manta, “You can either bitch about it, or fix it” and explains how you can move yourself and the department forward by ensuring you have the desire to learn, and help others strengthen their skillsets. 
Newsome says those who aspire to have a meaningful career, whether volunteer and career, need to short- and long-term goals and offers insight into his goals to provide listeners with concepts they can adapt. 
Resources 
Frank Leeb’s Firehouse Expo 2022 Keynote Address 

The Single-Role Fire-Based Paramedic – Chad Costa

Peter Matthews talks with Chad Costa about his capstone research on the impact of single-role paramedics in fire-based EMS systems. Costa, an assistant chief with the Petaluma, CA, Fire Department talks about the pros and cons of the highly debated topic to help fire departments manage responses as EMS call volumes soar.
They discuss how single-role vs. dual-role medic positions function, plus the varying costs and the overall impact on firefighter-focused training for crews who also staff ambulances. 
Costa explains that, as he started the research, he thought the move to a single-role was a no-brainer but said the findings of his research changed his outlook. The show explorers the benefits of having fire-based EMS systems where service delivery is the priority, not the cost - on both the personnel and the department.
Resources: 
ChadCosta.org 
EFO Capstone: Dual-Role Vs. Single-Role Staffing Models 
Chad Costa on LinkedIn 
Chad Costa’s Firehouse Articles & Podcasts 

Politics and the Fire Chief – Jared Renshaw

Peter Matthews talks with Western Berks, PA, Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw about this work to educate fire chiefs about their role in politics and how they can successfully navigate city hall. 
Renshaw, who has served in departments on the East and West coasts, has been writing and teaching on the topic of fire service politics, helping leaders navigate the confusing and challenging paths where the two merge, and impact each other. 
With many headlines of fire chiefs not being successful in their role, Renshaw warns how relationships and a thorough understanding of the political process can make or break a fire chief. He offers advice to listeners on who to connect with, how to establish and maintain that relationship and how to leverage it for growth in your department. 
The two also discuss data, how to produce reports that matter to your supervisors, and a look at management maydays that chiefs can encounter.  
Resources: 
Leadership Lessons: Management Mayday 
Live to Fight Another Day 
Answering the Call to City Hall 

Military Vet, Fire Chiefs Talks PTSD & Peer Support – Robert “Butch” Cobb & Paul Drennan

Peter Matthews talks with Robert “Butch” Cobb and Paul Drennan, both retired deputy chiefs from Jersey City, NJ, about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the importance of peer support teams.  
Cobb, a veteran of the Vietnam War, opens up about a moment that triggered flashbacks of his time in Vietnam, and how it led his life into a spiral until he began meeting with a doctor. This was the beginning of Cobb’s 20-plus year journey of therapy from the city and the Veterans Administration as he navigated a busy career, including multiple close calls and an immediate response to the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City. He explains why he brought this to light years after retirement, after hearing many stories and wanting to give advice to those who have walked in those shoes. 
Drennan, who also suffered from PTSD, helped the Jersey Fire Department start their Peer Support Team, which has served as a model for departments around the state. He talks about the importance of peer-to-peer support so that it allows firefighters to be open with people who understand their stressors.  
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cobb and Drennan talk about the need for seeking help early, how to start a Peer Support Team and what it means to take care of bother and sister firefighters as soon as stress and PTSD are evident. 
Resources: 
Jersey City Peer Support Team 
Butch Cobb on Instagram 
First Responder Center for Excellence 
Everyone Goes Home 
Station Design Conference 
International Association of Fire Fighters  
National Volunteer Fire Council First Responder Help Line 
International Association of Fire Chiefs 
Firehouse.com Coverage of Firefighter Mental Health 
Firehouse.com Coverage of Firefighter PTSD