439. "Meet Me Half Way" - Dan Czaruk

Jeremy sits down with Battalion Chief Dan Czaruk for an outstanding conversation that cuts right to the heart of today’s fire service: leadership, mentorship, communication, culture, and the responsibility we all share to build up the next generation.

Dan talks about starting his career at 19, terrified but eager, and the mentors who shaped his path. Jeremy and Dan dig into the idea of information gatekeeping — why it happens, how it hurts us, and why today’s young firefighters are hungry for knowledge and deserve leaders who are willing to share it.

The two explore generational differences, the balance between old-school expectations and modern learning styles, and the importance of creating a firehouse environment where questions are welcomed rather than viewed as challenges. Dan lays out what it means to “meet people halfway,” deliver clear expectations, and allow firefighters to take initiative instead of operating in a permission-based culture.

They also touch on company officer development, setting the tempo, investing in your crews, eliminating ego, and building a culture of trust where everyone understands their role and feels valued. Dan explains how his department’s in-house academy helps shape not just skills, but character — and why impact, not titles, is what creates true legacy.