Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

29 years of combination experience. A Captain on Rescue 1 with Stamford Fire Department in Connecticut. The fire service was far from Joe’s mind as he was looking at a career in civil engineering or being an architect. His friends were local volunteers and invited Joe to come hang out at the fire house and see what it was like. After a little bit one mentioned to Joe to fill out the application and see what it was really about. Hesitant at first Joe finally did and once he was able to obtain his Firefighter 1 certification in his words “Was life changing” because the fire service had never crossed his mind until that moment. In this interview Joe really brought home some solid gems and nuggets that all Firefighters should hear especially if you’re involved with recruit training. Not just showing the how but also reinforcing the why. Joe wasn’t quite sure what to expect with coming on board to talk shop but one thing for sure is he knocked it out the park.

Gary Fleischer- 35 years of combination experience. A District Chief with the City Of Worcester Fire Department in Massachusetts. Growing up Gary didn’t have aspirations of becoming a Firefighter. He was introduced to an explorer post from his friends which got him into obtaining training, skills, knowledge and doing outside only work for the fire department on scenes of emergencies. After doing this for a bit Gary knew the fire service was what he wanted to do for a career. His path to get there took time and patience but once Gary got his foot in the door he never looked back climbing through the ranks to where he is today. One of the takeaways I hope the listeners can obtain is when Gary speaks the truth when it comes to Task/Strategic level training. For those who don’t know about the history of Worcester Fire Department do yourself a favor and read the following NIOSH reports that he wanted to me share. We must be able to understand the past so the future of the fire service doesn’t repeat it. Actively engaging with history and ensure lessons are passed on.Worcester 6: Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. Timothy Jackson, Lt. James Lyons III, and Firefighters Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton, and Joseph McGuirk Report: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/163923Worcester Lieutenant Jason Menard: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/programs/pdfs/face201918.pdfWorcester Firefighter Jon Davies: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DPynmFkad/ Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/programs/pdfs/face201818.pdf

24 years of combination experience. Recently promoted Battalion Chief on the A shift with Port Arthur FD in Texas. Joshua was into sports and had no intentions of becoming a Firefighter. But like so many others I’ve had on here it was a friend of his that introduced him to the fire service. And once he got his foot in the door as the adage goes that’s all she wrote and Joshua fell in love with it. Joshua spoke straight truth bombs and facts in this interview. Standards and personal accountability can go a long way within your career as well as being able to be open and transparent with yourself. Joshua’s mindset and how he view’s the job is a must hear and I hope you all enjoy the conversation.IG: joshuaresweber

4 years of combination experience 3rd generation Firefighter. Volunteer Capt with Claymont Fire Company in New Castle County Delaware & career Firefighter/EMT with Christiana Fire Company. Nick’s future is so bright. I actually envy how this generation of young Firefighters are obtaining so much useful knowledge, and gaining tremendous fire experience with how the fire service is moving. Being able to obtain information at the touch of a button is truly remarkable. At just 22 years young Nick’s mindset towards the fire service and life is profound. If your an individual who’s apart of the fire service and are looking for ideas on how to help obtain and retain members with your organization please do yourself a favor and listen to Nick explain how Claymont operates. We need more individuals like Nick to become future Officers of departments around the country. Holding up traditions, values and standards.IG: ncripps24

28 years of combination experience 2nd generation Firefighter. A Capt on Rescue 11 with Charlotte Fire Department and Deputy Chief with Town Of Davidson. Joel always knew he wanted to become a Firefighter. The path to get there might not of been the way he wanted but at the end of the day all we can do is work hard and keep ourselves grounded for success. Joel is definitely a mentor of mine who I believe brings value to an already long list of individuals who have graciously accepted my invitation. Although he was hesitant at first on coming on he certainly did not disappoint with his mindset and thoughts on various topics we discussed. I truly hope the listeners can tune into gems being dropped. And lastly if you know someone who has truly helped you in bettering yourself for the good don’t be afraid to let them know while they’re still here.

Alan Styles- 35 years of combination experience. Fire Chief of Dalton Township Fire Department in Michigan. Cadre member with Build Your Culture LLC. When I asked Alan to come on and talk shop he was hesitant at first. He didn’t understand why I asked him. When you hear Alan talk the mindset he has towards the fire service is what most Firefighters want to hear coming from their respective Chief’s. As Alan states he is definitely a “Unorthodox” Fire Chief but isn’t bothered by the opinions of others. Alan’s message revolves around accountability, EGO, family, Brotherhood & servant leadership. What I would like for the listeners to understand is at the end of the day YOU have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself with what you accomplished are you ok with every decision that was made? If not what are you going to do to better yourself and those around you? Alan didn’t hold anything back. It was raw & honest and frankly we need more of this within the fire service. IG: papachief1

38 years of career experience. Retired Battalion Chief with Wichita Fire Department. Sid didn’t grow up wanting to be a Firefighter. He was a college student at the time that needed money and luckily for him had a buddy who was a Firefighter that asked him if he ever thought about joining the fire service. Sid thought about it applied and got on his first attempt. Once he was in as he states “It was the best thing in the world that ever happened.” From various individuals I’ve talked to they all describe Sid as a Firefighter’s Chief. A man who held standards and wanted everyone within his battalion to uphold and value those standards. Believing in servant leadership. I truly hope the listeners can tune and hone in on the gems and nuggets Sid speaks within this interview. I throughly enjoyed our conversation and hope you all do as well. IG: sidnewby

5 years of career experience. A Firefighter/Paramedic with a department located on the Southwest coast of Florida. Initially Hannah wanted to go into the medical field but after a year in she discovered that the current path she was on wasn’t it. She had some friends within the service who set her up to do a ride along with one of the departments near her. As Hannah states after the 8 hours she fell in love with the fire service and did everything she needed to set her self up for success. With that said every individual journey is never the same. We must choose what we feel is right within ourselves to make us happy. And I truly hope the listeners tune into the gems Hannah drops as she shares her story. As always none of this would be possible without the fantastic guests who agree to come on and talk shop. Hannah is certainly one of them and with the mindset she has I have no doubt she will definitely reach plateaus she never thought could be possible. IG: hannah_riederich

6 years of career experience. A backstep Firefighter on Ladder 42 at a central Florida department who has been through adversity within his life. But with a strong loving support system and his faith he was able to upright his ship into the right direction. This episode is slightly different from the others. Kyle comes on to talk shop about his fire service experience and about a decision he made in his life along with the aftermath. A decision that I believe a good number of Firefighters can relate to. Actions have CONSEQUENCES and may have a LASTING impact on the rest of your life. There is no RESET,UNDO or EDIT button. YOU are the only person RESPONSIBLE for your actions. You are free to CHOOSE whatever action you want to take, but are NOT free from the CONSEQUENCES. The best thing you can do is accept that a mistake was made and take full accountability and learn from it through growth and maturity. Hopefully others can see your sincerity and determination to correct it and offer you a second chance. If you do get one, take advantage of it because it’s a gift and it may be something better than you had before.IG: piv_631

16 years of combination experience. Firefighter 2 on Tower 18 with Charlotte Fire Department. Cadre member with Truck Company Ops. Chad was always aware of the fire service but it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to be. Like many young adults his career aspirations wasn’t narrowed down to one field. It wasn’t until he was in college that the notion started to come alive of the fire service and with that he packed up his things moved back home and enrolled in classes that pertained to fire. Eventually getting on a volunteer organization and after a few years began applying to career Departments. Chad is all in when it comes to the job and anything related to Truck work. I want the listeners to tune in when Chad talks about his experience, the mentors he surrounds himself with along with his fire service journey and where he is today. IG: chad_zerfoss