Welcome to FireRescue1’s Extra Alarm – your audible source of original content from FireRescue1. In this inaugural episode, learn how to minimize scheduling strains and mission misalignment between the department’s shift-workers and administrative workforce, insights courtesy of Chris Paskett, a battalion chief with Eugene Springfield (Oregon) Fire. Listen to FireRescue1 content when you’re out and about, driving to or from work, when you’re looking for some alone time at the station or during your career development time. Listen to the end for additional insights from Chief Marc Bashoor.

“Why are healthy people having cardiac events?” This was the question that first fueled Kepra Jack’s interest in cardiac health among firefighters – and the fact that her husband is a firefighter further drove her investment in the topic. As the co-founder and director of HeartFit for Duty, Jack builds education programs for first responders and physicians alike. Jack has made it her mission to support firefighter health, and she’s got some great guidance. We dig into all of that and more: The 10-minute exercise with the greatest impact on overall health. What surprises doctors about firefighting. Why “what you eat today directly impacts your retirement.” The #1 habit every firefighter should start. Resources we discussed on the show: Download the Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Medical Evaluations. Read next: “A fire department physical saved my life – twice!” 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!

Fire Chief Jason Caughey joins the team this week to reflect on the decisive themes of 2024, whether those hot topics will continue to make waves in 2025, plus the critical areas of focus for any fire service leader who’s working to support their members. Plus, we dig into all this: Innovative events and forward-thinking groups driving change Reimagining the debate about what it means to be safe and aggressive Why fire service leaders can no longer get away with being “full of sh*t” How to take proactive steps to break down silos Embracing a “train ’em, trust ’em, let ’em go” mindset A reminder to focus on the positive – and why you joined Thank you for your support of Better Every Shift in 2024! Are you ready to thrive in 2025? 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!

Ventura Fire Captain Fernando Calderon has appeared on five seasons of Discovery Channel’s hit reality TV show “Naked & Afraid,” where participants are dropped into remote locations – without clothes – to survive for upwards of three weeks. Most of the show’s participants have years of experience living off the grid or teaching survival strategies – but not Calderon. He went from watching the show at the fire station to feeling “possessed” to apply.” It was the ultimate test to learn what he was made of. Now over 10 years later, Calderon is what they call an All Star in the Naked & Afraid universe – and he’s sharing the many survival challenge lessons that apply to the fire service. Plus, we dig into all of this: How the show helps Calderon reset Feeling pressure to make his fire department proud The superpower that gives him an edge on the competition Implementing “mental mind control” to make it through tough times The worst thing he ate during one of his survival challenges The competitor he calls a “wild card” The #1 food he craves post-competition This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Better Every Shift listeners receive 10% off now through Dec. 31, using the promo code, FR10. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Megan Lautz understands that shiftwork makes it nearly impossible to follow a perfect diet – as do other life events that squeeze your time and impact your outlook on food. That’s why her nutrition advice for firefighters centers on what’s realistic – the “good, better, best” approach, which encourages making smarter choices for the situation and setting yourself up for success with simple tools, like go-bags for snacks on shift. Plus, Lautz has worked with firefighters through her company, RescueRd, long enough to know when to push and when “a little bit of shame adds some razzle-dazzle” to the guidance. We dig into all of that and more: “Firefighter Math” in the context of health, namely donuts The truth about energy drinks Smart electrolyte supplement strategies Simple recommendations for caffeine and hydration Resources: Get the free recipe book, “Firehouse Fresh, on Lautz’s website and learn more about the Kales Lab study on “Feeding America’s Bravest: Survival Mediterranean Style.” Find Lautz on social media: Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn 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? Send an email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

Mike Studeman, a retired two-star admiral and national security expert, shares rich insights on leadership from his book, 'Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity.' He debunks the myth of the 'always-in-command' style and emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and self-awareness. Discussing the power of branding and organizational culture, he highlights strategies for building morale and fostering hope, especially during challenging times. Studeman's anecdotes illustrate the significance of trust, integrity, and camaraderie in effective leadership.

Crossover alert! On this week’s Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into a vital topic: the culture of accountability in EMS. Sparked by FireRescue1 Senior Fire Advisor Chief Marc Bashoor’s article, "Where is our culture of accountability?", the hosts explore why change is so difficult to embrace, how leadership impacts culture and what steps agencies can take to help foster accountability across an organization. Thank you to Pulsara for sponsoring this episode of Inside EMS. Discover more at Pulsara.com. Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.

Many know that Tucson Fire Chief Chuck Ryan is a staunch advocate for firefighter health and safety, but he’s also a big believer in giving a little grace. Leadership is challenging, so our default assumptions shouldn’t be that leadership just doesn’t get it. After all, Chief Ryan says, “No fire chief comes to work and says, ‘How can I mess with my people today? How can I make their lives uncomfortable and miserable today?’” Ryan offers insights from his years in a variety of leadership positions as well as lessons learned from one of the most challenging calls of his career – a 2021 shooting he describes as, “the worst of circumstances handled in the best of ways.” Plus, we dig into all of this: The power of a good relationship with the local police chief; the switch from lawyer to firefighter and his “do-over” fire service career move; and the fireboat mishap that left Ryan in treading water in the Potomac River. 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. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

It’s time to make your list and check it twice to ensure you’re covered this holiday season. Unsure what to buy for your firefighter friends and family or even your crewmembers? You can skip the line for Santa because the real magic is at TheFireStore.com, which is offering a 15% discount to Better Every Shift listeners from Nov. 21-30. Listen in for the code to ensure you grab the best firefighter gifts without breaking the bank. 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? Send an email to bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

“There's so much we don't know about fires. We're still killing firefighters. We're still killing people in fires. There's still so much to know and to do differently.” Chief Derek Alkonis, who serves as a research program manager for UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, shares his passion for learning about fire dynamics and how best to translate fire behavior research into actionable lessons – and updated tactics – for firefighters. Plus, we dig into all of this: The Mike Singletary analogy for “aggressive” firefighting Why the Lahaina fire moved so fast and Alkonis’ current work on the fire investigation team [Read the Maui Wildfire Analysis] How the heavy burden of command drove him to learn more about fire behavior early in his career Alkonis’ work with Los Angeles County Fire to put fire behavior research into practice – and the process of getting buy-in from the firefighters 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.