“One thing I learned this year: Most other entities have to focus on their entity. Everyone has their niche. The IAFC is a federated model. We have to give a damn about everything.” Fire Chief John Butler highlights the unique qualities of the 150-year-old organization and how it reaches so many firefighters. As his presidency concludes this week at Fire-Rescue International, Butler reflects on his accomplishments, lessons learned and impactful moments from his tenure, and offers words of wisdom for the incoming IAFC president, Chief Josh Waldo. Plus, we dig into this:

• How to have a voice in the fire service

• The empowerment-discomfort connection

• How taking an oath solidifies accountability for new firefighters

• Revisiting the family story that still causes “gnashing of teeth” decades later

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.