Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

47 years of combination experience. Life member & President of the board with Mount Mourne Fire Department, President with North Carolina Society of Fire/Rescue Instructors & recently retired Chief Of Training with Mooresville Fire-Rescue. As a child growing up Ben stated he “Played with match box cars and fire trucks”. When he was old enough he started out as an explorer with Wooster Township Fire Department in Ohio and in 1983 became a certified volunteer firefighter. Even though North Carolina is now home Ben still has ties with the Wooster organization. Before starting his full-time career in the fire service Ben was able to live out one of his dreams as a part time driver for Nascar and ARCA series. Ben would do his best work in the then ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series and ARCA Bondo-MarHyde Series, recording four wins, 6 poles, and 29 top-tens in 64 races. In 1998 Ben was hired as a career Firefighter with Mooresville Fire. Everything Ben does he puts forth the effort to make sure he achieves his goal. But what I admire about Ben is the fact that he openly talks about achieving success but at the same time with doing so the strain it can cause on personal relationships and how we need to find that balance because it happens to the best of us who truly want to be good at the job. I truly hope the listeners can pickup on the many gems and nuggets Ben drops in the interview. I truly appreciate Ben for wanting to come on, share his story and experiences for others to learn from. At the end of the day we should strive for the next generation of Firefighters to be better than us. And the only way to do so is to make sure they have the guidance and tools necessary.

30 years of combination experience. Retired Capt with The City Of Roanoke Fire-EMS on Engine 5, former Fire Chief with Bedford Fire Department who held the position for 15 years and currently State of Virginia Executive Director of Fire Programs. Was the fire service a calling for Brad? No he wanted to be in law enforcement and was fortunate to obtain that dream but after having an encounter with a Firefighter and asking “What does he have to do to get on?” Brad’s trajectory was forever changed. At the end of the day we all need to ask ourselves what do we want out of the career we’re looking to go into? We need to have drive, determination and remember above all especially working in a group setting it’s not always about us. The individuals throughout Brad’s career both volunteer and professional were able to plant that seed in him reminding it all comes down to the mission. We all should strive for obtaining goals we never thought was possible and when you hear Brad speak you will be able to clearly tell he has never forgotten that.

21 years of combination experience. Driver/Operator on Engine 2 with Durham Fire Department. His dad was a volunteer so he naturally followed that route. But it was his friends around him that exposed the path of possibly going career which got Ben intrigued. Once he was hired the mentors and individuals he was around shaped his mindset to be the Firefighter he is today. But make no mistake Ben doesn’t want to come off as being perfect. Everyday he tries to be better than the last. But what he understands is with failure comes growth and that he wants to hold himself accountable with everything he does. There were no lies told in this interview as Ben drops some nuggets and gems along the way. I truly hope you all enjoy the interview.

22 years of combination experience. Deputy Chief of Operations with Madison Fire-Rescue in Northern Alabama. Chad has an older brother who was a volunteer firefighter which naturally intrigued him in learning more so he enrolled in the cadet program. After getting into the groove and finding his own way the thought of doing this full-time set in and Chad pressed forward by enrolling and obtaining all his certifications needed. In this interview Chad spoke facts and dropped some nuggets along the way for the listeners. He was very transparent on owning past mistakes but there’s no question he’s all in when it comes to how we should view the job. I hope you all can enjoy the interview because I sure enjoyed listening to Chad speak.

45 years of combination experience. South Carolina Fire Academy State Region 2 Coordinator (Battalion Chief rank). JD always wanted to go down the road of law enforcement with dreams of being a State Trooper. At a very young age of 16 he joined his local volunteer fire department. What I appreciate about the interview with JD is his mindset. There’s no doubt he’s been in the game for a while to see and experience many different things. But it’s so refreshing to see and hear a man who doesn’t mind change actually JD encourages it. Just because there maybe your way to accomplish a task doesn’t mean there can’t be another route. And if so that doesn’t make you or it wrong. JD drops a few gems and nuggets along the way but also remembers it’s not about him. Where he is today was guided by the help and guidance of mentors. I truly hope you all can enjoy the interview and the message being preached.

20 years of combination experience. President of IAFF local 117, Currently Captain with the logistics division of Birmingham Fire Rescue Service but before the change of position was Captain on busy Quint 20. He was introduced to the fire service by his room mate who was a volunteer. Although he had no aspirations of becoming a Firefighter once he got a taste of it everything going forward changed. Stephen laid out some facts and nuggets when it came to various topics we discussed. I truly enjoyed our conversation and hope the listeners do as well.

18 years of career experience. Captain With the City Of Issaquah East Side Fire & Rescue East of Seattle on Engine 178. The fire service wasn’t on Berlin’s radar. His parents thought he would end up being in the tech industry but everything in life occurs for a reason & we all serve a purpose regardless of what industry we are in. Once Berlin got on the key to his success was founded on two things. Betting on himself and having mentors or individuals who will push and guide you to things you would have never thought was possible. Berlin laid down the gospel on various topics we discussed especially when it came to Company Officer and leadership development. Grab you a notepad and get ready to jot a few things down with this one.

41 years of combination experience. Fire Chief With Laramie County Fire Authority in Cheyenne Wyoming. Jason has always been around emergency services so it was natural that as soon as he was able to he joined the volunteer fire service and hasn’t looked back. Jason’s route to get to his current position is outside the normal. But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right path. Full transparency I would encourage the listeners to tune in and listen to Jason’s message and mindset. How he views his organization and most importantly the people within it is how we all should conduct business. As the adage goes there’s no I in team. It’s not about us it’s about those we serve and work with. Jason took this interview to church preaching the good word on how he views the service. It was truly an honor to listen and pick his brain on various topics within the fire service. If you’re a Chief or Chief Officer in a combination department you might want to grab a notepad and get to writing a few ideas.

11 years of combination experience. Senior Firefighter on Engine & Ladder 82 for the City Of Hardeeville Fire Department in South Carolina. Initially his plan was going the route of law enforcement but his dad mentioned to Phillip about becoming a volunteer Firefighter instead. He gave it a go and that’s all he needed to know this was where he belonged. What I appreciate about Phillip and our conversation is how he discusses the topic of burnout. Whether your volunteer or career burnout most definitely exists and it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms before you lose sight of what truly matters in your life. As always each and every guest drops gems and nuggets for those listening to hopefully pick up on.

28 years of combination experience. Fire Commissioner with Western Berks Fire Department in Pennsylvania. From a very young age Jared knew the fire service was what he wanted to be apart of. As soon as he hit the age of 15 Jared began his journey starting out as a volunteer and after a few years began applying any and everywhere he could to try and become a career Firefighter. Once he was able to obtain that goal he Jared remained all in when it came to the job. Making sure he remembers why he’s there and who he’s there for. Mentorship and who you surround yourself with play’s a huge factor in how you view the job. Fortunately for Jared he picked up on the good and bad experiences which has shaped him to he is today. A Chief who knows it’s not all about him, and does everything he can for the betterment of his department and community. Jared drops a few nuggets along the way in the interview which were spot on. I hope you all enjoy the conversation.