Better Every Shift

“Everybody’s going to be a leader.” Fire Chief Corey Smedley encourages his entire workforce to step into their own leadership roles and not be afraid to make mistakes. Smedley, who is nearing one year as fire chief for Montgomery County (Maryland) Fire & Rescue, is the organization’s first outside hire for the top spot. The chief reflects on how he worked to learn the in-and-outs of the department’s culture and the importance of asking questions from a place of curiosity, not judgment — key steps in securing a “soft landing” for a new chief. We dig into all this and more: Smedley’s self-assigned first year grade How he navigated a series of tough situations, even tragedies, over the past year The role of thought partnerships and intel briefings The power of public health programs 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. And don’t miss these upcoming savings: Independence Day (ALL Brands) 10% off sitewide Dates: 7/1-7/4 Code: REDWHITEBLUE Exclusions Member Appreciation Week (TFS) 12% off sitewide + free shipping on $120+ Dates: 7/7-7/11 Code: MEMBERPERKS Exclusions Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

The recipe for sleep health: “Build a sleep window, protect the sleep window, and let your sleep accountant balance the books.” On this Better Every Shift playback, we revisit one of our most enlightening episodes, as Dr. Glenn Landry — a self-proclaimed “sleep geek” — details how shifter workers can improve their sleep. He explains the science behind how to prepare the body for sleep, when to nap and why sleep is a “team-based sport.” Landry also shares information about a curriculum for shift workers that’s essentially “Netflix for sleep health.” This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Senior Captain Chris DelBello, who focuses on the dos and don'ts for commanding your first fire, including checklists for before, during and after the incident. Other topics addressed: pre-fire preparations, such as sharing expectations with firefighters, familiarizing oneself with command worksheets, and practicing size-ups; common mistakes to avoid, like being overly restrictive or switching command modes frequently; and the importance of post-fire reviews and learning from the experience.

“The calmness comes because the fire alarm in the brain has stopped flogging your body.” That’s how Dr. Jim Lynch describes the effect of a stellate ganglion block — an injection he says turns off the unproductive and chronic fight-or-flight response experienced by many firefighters with PTSD or anxiety conditions. Dr. Lynch details the science behind the procedure, and Firefighter Paul Duran shares not only his experience the SGB procedure but also what made him seek out this treatment in the first place. Learn more about SGB treatments. 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. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

“I thought he was dead. He thought I was dead.” Firefighter Andrew Klein shares the harrowing story of a recent flashover that left him disoriented and worried his captain was dead in the same terrifying instant his captain thought Klein was dead. Klein shares the play by play of the commercial fire scene — a light smoke condition that turned violent eruption where “everything went lights out.” He details what happened, what saved him and how he’s managing his mental health post-incident. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Assistant Chief Chad Costa, highlighting squad programs as a solution to rising medical call volumes in fire services. Squad programs involve deploying smaller, specialized units for medical emergencies, preserving larger apparatus for critical incidents and extending their operational lifespan. Costa argues that these programs enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery by implementing data-driven decision-making, tiered response models, and strategic staffing adjustments. The ultimate goal is to maintain high service standards while ensuring personnel wellness and resource longevity.

“There’s always a better way to do something; we just haven’t discovered it yet.” Chief Danny Kistner, the new director of fire service programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, underscores the need for continuous improvement, especially when it comes to finding new ways to reduce firefighter LODDs. Kistner details the threefold mission of the NFFF, highlighting that while supporting firefighter families after a tragedy is the core mission, the foundation is also deeply committed to preventing such tragedies in the first place. Kistner outlines many vital NFFF programs and how all firefighters can get involved, whether becoming an advocate, offering department training, encouraging safe practices or any one of the many other means of support. Learn more: Fire Programs and Events Fire Hero Learning Network 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. Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

“We often do what is inspected, not what is expected.” Preet Bassi, CEO for the Center for Public Safety Excellence, joins the show this week to talk fire department (and personal) accountability and improvement, specifically through the process of accreditation and credentialing. Bassi underscores that if a department doesn’t have a way to track their practices and progress, it could go from being a progressive, emerging department to one that’s considered old school before its leaders realize the speed of regression. Bassi also delves into AI in the fire service: how departments are using AI in their workflows; the power of getting to the correct answer, just faster; and her plug for “more human humans.” Bonus resources: Arthur J. Glatfelter Fire & Emergency Services Scholarship Foundation and CPSE scholarships. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Battalion Chief (ret.) Greg Rogers, addressing the critical issue of conflicting orders in fire department operations and underscoring the importance of adhering to the established chain of command. Rogers acknowledges the tendency of individuals to obey authority figures, even when orders are conflicting or unsafe, as demonstrated by infamous Stanley Milgram's obedience experiments. This behavior can lead to dangerous situations on the fireground, especially when orders are issued by officers outside a firefighter's direct chain of command. The article provides a real-world scenario where a firefighter receives conflicting orders from two different officers, leading to a failure in executing a critical task and endangering lives, plus guidance for ensuring a strong chain of command.

The National Firefighter Registry is back! The registry – a massive project to understand and reduce risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters – was temporarily offline following layoffs at several NIOSH programs. Fortunately, the administration has restored the NFR employees’ positions, and the site is back up and running. Dr. Kenny Fent, the NFR team lead, joins the podcast to detail the program, which helps connect the dots between cancer and firefighting well beyond previous studies. The good news: Nearly 25,000 firefighters have already signed up. The goal: 200,000 in order to really dial in the types of cancer that impact firefighters the most – and why. As Zam says, the NFR is the “freaking easiest way” to help your fellow firefighters now and in the long run, so register today! 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. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.