Better Every Shift

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Joan Hill, who details the need-to-know information about the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Hill explains the changes and their implications for firefighters, answering key questions like: Who benefits from the Social Security Fairness Act? Will benefits be retroactive? What is the implementation timeline of the Social Security Fairness Act? How can I maximize my benefits after the Social Security Fairness Act? Read the original article on FireRescue1.

Zam has been through a lot in the past year, navigating some personal life challenges, plus adapting to an elevated position at work – a change that ultimately put him in command at an MCI active-shooter event. With Dr. Rachelle Zemlok as his guide, Zam reflects on how his focus on building resilience has helped him navigate these life changes and challenging calls. Plus, Dr. Z details the four ways to build resilience so you are better prepared when life starts throwing too many punches. Some resources mentioned on the show: Trauma screening questionnaire (page 11) Resilient 50 Challenge Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Dan Rogers, a third-generation firefighter with the Witt Volunteer Fire Department. Rogers delves into volunteer recruitment challenges and solutions, highlighting the importance of addressing misconceptions about why people aren't joining the fire service. Rogers offers several actionable strategies for increasing volunteer numbers. Read the original article on FireRescue1.

This week’s podcast revisits one of our most popular shows. Fire service attorney Curt Varone identifies the biggest liability for fire departments – the members who might be looking for a fight – and urges fire service leaders to better address everything from HR issues like discipline to operational issues related to policies and training. We also dig into the need to educate fire service leaders about how to identify those conflict-seeking members who often become frequent litigators, or as Varone says, beware the “human equivalent of a lightweight wood truss building.” 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.

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Johnny Torgeson, the assistant chief of operations for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire & Emergency Services in California. Torgeson emphasizes the need to reject traditional business-derived leadership models and instead lead differently. The chief explains how to “disrespect the norm,” reinvent your position and put in the work toward a more unconventional approach that doesn’t rely on tools from books that aren’t meant for fire officers or theories that have yet to be realized as successful tools for the fire service. Most importantly, we shouldn’t copy-paste the leadership patterns of our predecessors. Read the original article on FireRescue1.

There’s a lot going on at San Diego Fire Rescue, as we hear from Fire Chief Robert Logan and Battalion Chief David Picone with the health and safety office on this week’s Better Every Shift. The department leaders outline a host of unique programs and efforts focused on members. They also address the recent L.A. wildfires (to which San Diego sent resources), plus the debate about DEI that emerged amid the incident. Some topics we hit on the show: Recruitment: Breaking down barriers to reach potential members Wellness: FD training modeled after a Division 1 athletic program Family dynamics: Launching a “2-in/2-out” event for couples DEI: “No standards have changed” Outreach: Reintroducing the FD to the community WUI fires: Game-changing weather where Mother Nature is going to win 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!

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Division Chief Chad Crouse, who addresses the impact of AI on mental health and productivity in the fire service. He observes that fire chiefs tend to use time saved by AI to do more at work rather than focusing time saved on personal wellness. Highlighting a cultural expectation that productivity equals success, Chief Crouse calls for a shift in how we deploy technology in order to reclaim time for personal health and relationships. Read the article on FireRescue1.

Orlando Lt. Bassel Ibrahim is carrying the mayday research torch through the launch of the Firefighter Mayday Survey. The project is a variation and continuation of Don Abbott’s Project Mayday following the chief’s death in 2022. Ibrahim shares what drove him to take on such a huge project, which shares real-world mayday and near-miss data to improve firefighter safety, training and tactics. We dig into all things mayday research, plus all this: Proactive vs. reactive RIT RIT’s role as jack-of-all-trades Switching radio channels The problem with LUNAR Ibrahim’s own mayday experience Why “without data, there is no progress” Watch FireRescue1’s on-demand webinar featuring Lt. Ibrahim: “Mayday survival – personal experiences, practical tactics.” BONUS: Take the What Firefighters Want in 2025 survey. 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!

This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Chief Eric Linnenburger, who focuses on the importance of genuine connection for newly promoted fire service leaders. Linnenburger identifies the challenges leaders face in maintaining a meaningful connection with their teams, backed by What Firefighters Want survey data that reveals a significant disconnect between fire chiefs and line personnel. The chief also shares practical recommendations for building trust and enhancing relationships within the team, emphasizing the necessity of human skills and leading by example rather than from behind a desk. [Note: The What Firefighters Want in 2025 survey is now live. Share your voice here.]

Kentucky Assistant Chief Chip Terry called himself a public servant – and lived by those words, shares his widow, Jo Terry: “He was there to serve the public. Now it's our turn to help serve you.” Following Chip’s death by suicide in 2017, Jo started the Chip Terry Fund, which strives to educate first responders and their families about PTSD and provide funding to offer mental health treatments to those in need. Jo shares Chip’s story, including what healthcare provided missed in their assessments and how his PTSD impacted their entire family, plus all this: The “big warning signs” of a firefighter in crisis, including “Jackass Syndrome” Why spouses often detect the problem first The physiological processes that make PTSD difficult to manage alone Why Jo says, “it shouldn’t be a widow’s job to do this” Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!