The Leadership Crucible Podcast Female Fire Chief on Leadership, Trust, & Breaking the Mold | Chief Trisha Wolford
Jan 23, 2026
01:02:58
Breaking barriers in the fire service isn’t about titles—it’s about trust, courage, and consistency over time. In this episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Chief Trisha Wolford, one of only three women to ever serve as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, to explore what it truly takes to lead in a profession shaped by tradition, pressure, and high expectations.
Chief Wolford shares her journey from growing up in a fire service family in Rockford, Illinois, to becoming Fire Chief in Anne Arundel County and now serving at the national level. She reflects on earning respect in a male-dominated profession, leading through relational trust, and making difficult decisions when public scrutiny, social media pressure, and organizational complexity collide.This conversation goes beyond breaking glass ceilings. Chief Wolford speaks candidly about leadership fatigue, decision-making under fire, navigating crisis, and staying grounded while carrying responsibility that never really turns off. From mentoring the next generation to shaping national policy and advocating for the future of the fire service, her story offers a grounded, honest look at principled leadership.
Whether you’re a firefighter, a chief, or a leader responsible for people in high-stakes environments, this episode delivers timeless lessons on courage, humility, trust, and what it means to leave the profession better than you found it.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Trailer: A Trailblazing Fire Service Leader
01:16 – Growing Up in a Fire Service Family
03:57 – From Graphic Design to the Fire Academy
05:39 – Finding Purpose Beyond a Paycheck
06:39 – Why Character Matters in the Fire Service
07:04 – Defining Moments That Shaped Her Leadership
07:54 – Taking the Risk: Leaving Home to Grow as a Leader
10:41 – Lessons Learned in Bozeman, Montana
12:59 – Staying Grounded as a Fire Chief
15:44 – Managing Decision Fatigue & Burnout
17:27 – Stepping Into the IAFC Presidency
19:23 – Leading at the National & International Level
22:25 – Sustainability, Funding, and the Future of the Fire Service
26:49 – Change Fatigue, Technology, and AI
30:08 – Empathy, Adaptability, and Human-Centered Leadership
33:13 – Crucible Moments: Social Media, Crisis, and Public Scrutiny
38:24 – Standing by Your People Under Fire
44:30 – Leadership Accountability & Learning from Failure
47:42 – What the Next Generation of Leaders Must Develop
51:22 – Saying No, Innovation, and Focus
56:13 – Leaving It Better: Legacy, Service, and Paying It Forward
01:02:02 – Closing Reflections on Leadership & Trust
ABOUT CHIEF WOLFORD:
Trisha L. Wolford is the Fire Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland and currently serves as President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)—one of only three women in the organization’s history to hold the role.As Fire Chief, Wolford leads one of the largest combination fire departments in the country, serving more than 600,000 residents across 580 square miles and 31 fire stations. She is responsible for over 1,000 career firefighters, approximately 500 operational volunteer firefighters, nearly 1,000 administrative volunteers, fire communications personnel, and civilian support staff.
Chief Wolford began her career with Anne Arundel County in 2006 as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2011, she was assigned to the Fire Marshal’s Office and later became a sworn law enforcement officer after completing the Anne Arundel County Police Academy. She served in fire and explosives investigations, promoted to Lieutenant, and spent four years as a Tactical Medic with the SWAT program.Her executive leadership experience includes serving as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in Bozeman, Montana, and Assistant Fire Chief overseeing operations for the Spokane Fire Department. In 2019, she returned to Anne Arundel County to become Fire Chief of her home department.
Chief Wolford holds a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd University, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, and an MBA. She is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, the IAFC Fire Service Executive Development Institute, and holds CFO and CFM designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In addition to her IAFC presidency, she serves on the FirstNet Authority Board and was appointed in 2025 to Maryland’s State EMS Advisory Council.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- IAFC | Web (https://www.iafc.org/)
- IAFC | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iafc/)
- IAFC | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firechiefs/)
- IAFC | Instagram
- FDNY | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-city-fire-department/)
- Chief Wolford | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisha-wolford-4a716bb0/)
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
GIVE NOW:
The Leadership Crucible Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with no political affiliation, dedicated to promoting and developing ethical leadership. Our objective is to help develop the next generation of leaders with a strong sense of ethics and commitment to serving and making a positive impact on their organization and society. Learn more & give now at https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/donate.
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)
MUSIC CREDITS:
- You Were There Instrumental - CHPTRS (MB01GWD6NYA7CYS)
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- Solstice - Wes Hael (MB01PNDKVCOEO1Z)
- This Is The Good Life (Instrumental) - MOONWATER (MB01CTIIAZV80UU)
Chief Wolford shares her journey from growing up in a fire service family in Rockford, Illinois, to becoming Fire Chief in Anne Arundel County and now serving at the national level. She reflects on earning respect in a male-dominated profession, leading through relational trust, and making difficult decisions when public scrutiny, social media pressure, and organizational complexity collide.This conversation goes beyond breaking glass ceilings. Chief Wolford speaks candidly about leadership fatigue, decision-making under fire, navigating crisis, and staying grounded while carrying responsibility that never really turns off. From mentoring the next generation to shaping national policy and advocating for the future of the fire service, her story offers a grounded, honest look at principled leadership.
Whether you’re a firefighter, a chief, or a leader responsible for people in high-stakes environments, this episode delivers timeless lessons on courage, humility, trust, and what it means to leave the profession better than you found it.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Trailer: A Trailblazing Fire Service Leader
01:16 – Growing Up in a Fire Service Family
03:57 – From Graphic Design to the Fire Academy
05:39 – Finding Purpose Beyond a Paycheck
06:39 – Why Character Matters in the Fire Service
07:04 – Defining Moments That Shaped Her Leadership
07:54 – Taking the Risk: Leaving Home to Grow as a Leader
10:41 – Lessons Learned in Bozeman, Montana
12:59 – Staying Grounded as a Fire Chief
15:44 – Managing Decision Fatigue & Burnout
17:27 – Stepping Into the IAFC Presidency
19:23 – Leading at the National & International Level
22:25 – Sustainability, Funding, and the Future of the Fire Service
26:49 – Change Fatigue, Technology, and AI
30:08 – Empathy, Adaptability, and Human-Centered Leadership
33:13 – Crucible Moments: Social Media, Crisis, and Public Scrutiny
38:24 – Standing by Your People Under Fire
44:30 – Leadership Accountability & Learning from Failure
47:42 – What the Next Generation of Leaders Must Develop
51:22 – Saying No, Innovation, and Focus
56:13 – Leaving It Better: Legacy, Service, and Paying It Forward
01:02:02 – Closing Reflections on Leadership & Trust
ABOUT CHIEF WOLFORD:
Trisha L. Wolford is the Fire Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland and currently serves as President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)—one of only three women in the organization’s history to hold the role.As Fire Chief, Wolford leads one of the largest combination fire departments in the country, serving more than 600,000 residents across 580 square miles and 31 fire stations. She is responsible for over 1,000 career firefighters, approximately 500 operational volunteer firefighters, nearly 1,000 administrative volunteers, fire communications personnel, and civilian support staff.
Chief Wolford began her career with Anne Arundel County in 2006 as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2011, she was assigned to the Fire Marshal’s Office and later became a sworn law enforcement officer after completing the Anne Arundel County Police Academy. She served in fire and explosives investigations, promoted to Lieutenant, and spent four years as a Tactical Medic with the SWAT program.Her executive leadership experience includes serving as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in Bozeman, Montana, and Assistant Fire Chief overseeing operations for the Spokane Fire Department. In 2019, she returned to Anne Arundel County to become Fire Chief of her home department.
Chief Wolford holds a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd University, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, and an MBA. She is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, the IAFC Fire Service Executive Development Institute, and holds CFO and CFM designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In addition to her IAFC presidency, she serves on the FirstNet Authority Board and was appointed in 2025 to Maryland’s State EMS Advisory Council.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- IAFC | Web (https://www.iafc.org/)
- IAFC | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iafc/)
- IAFC | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firechiefs/)
- IAFC | Instagram
- FDNY | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-city-fire-department/)
- Chief Wolford | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisha-wolford-4a716bb0/)
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
GIVE NOW:
The Leadership Crucible Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with no political affiliation, dedicated to promoting and developing ethical leadership. Our objective is to help develop the next generation of leaders with a strong sense of ethics and commitment to serving and making a positive impact on their organization and society. Learn more & give now at https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/donate.
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)
MUSIC CREDITS:
- You Were There Instrumental - CHPTRS (MB01GWD6NYA7CYS)
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- Solstice - Wes Hael (MB01PNDKVCOEO1Z)
- This Is The Good Life (Instrumental) - MOONWATER (MB01CTIIAZV80UU)