Better Every Shift

“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.

For three years in a row, poor agency leadership has been flagged among What Firefighters Want survey respondents as one of the top negative impacts on the job, plus a major factor in retention challenges. How did we get here, and more importantly, how do we fix it? Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones, who tackled this issue in the newly released What Firefighters Want in 2024 report, argues that while you might not have caused the issue, it’s still up to the current fire service leaders to fix the problem at the root. Jones shares his advice for fostering strong fire department leadership, along with lessons learned from his personal and professional challenges and successes. Plus, we dig into all this: The extra 15 minutes that changed Jones’ professional life How early fatal fires – and PTSD – affected his leadership path His response to being called an “EEOC chief” Two books all fire service leaders should read Download the What Firefighters Want digital edition to read Chief Jones’ guidance for combatting poor fire department leadership, plus insights from Chiefs John Oates, Dena Ali and Reggie Freeman. This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is sponsored by ImageTrend. Learn how you can finish NFIRS reports before you get back to the station at ImageTrend.com.

You’ve probably heard of “Carpool Karaoke,” but what about Carpool Command? It’s one of many great training ideas shared by Laramie County Fire Authority Fire Chief Jason Caughey. Caughey offers insights on command training and tactics, plus how to create a command culture that’s baked into every part of training, even if you’re just driving around with your chief, singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” to get comfortable on the radio. And don’t miss all this: What it means to be a “bullfighter” chief The critical role of a command aide – a “senior set of eyes” How the echo method works on scene – and in relationships The debate about where to set up command This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is sponsored by Pulsara. Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass-casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. One Tool. Every Day. Regardless of Event. Learn more at Pulsara.com.

Captain Kory Pearn is all about discovery, from reflecting on past health struggles to brainstorming new ways to support the fire service. It was during a challenging time in Pearn’s life where the discovery kicked into high gear, as his concept for a fire service lifestyle publication turned to “something that I just had to get out of me,” he says. The result: CRACKYL Magazine, a quarterly publication for which he now serves as publisher and editor-in-chief, focusing on helping firefighters achieve better balance in their lives. Pearn shares a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration for the magazine, plus recent cover stories, including the current issue that features fire service editors-in-chief, including our very own Better Every Shift co-host Janelle Foskett. Plus, we dig into this: Pearn’s vegetables/desserts content strategy Why “you can’t fake it” in fire service media His surprise meeting with Michael J. Fox The love of LEGO – and the power of distractions in achieving balance Listen in to hear why Zam calls Captain Kory Pearn one of the most interesting people in the fire service.

“This is arguably the most transformational project that has occurred in fire and emergency response maybe since America Burning was published and the Fire Prevention and Control Act was passed – and I don't think I'm being dramatic. This is big.” Chief Tom Jenkins clearly isn’t shy about the future impact of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), which will ultimately replace the legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) – a shift that will impact every fire department. Jenkins, who serves as the research program manager with UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), details how NERIS will change the game, making it easier for firefighters to tell a more accurate and fuller story about their calls. Plus, we dig into this: How NERIS can help firefighters be “less allergic” to report-writing The shift from emotional to data-driven budget requests What firefighters can do right now to prepare for the changes ahead Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Post-9/11, there was an attempt to embed psychologists in firehouses, but that approach didn’t work, as the firefighters just ended up counseling the psychologists: “We realized that the magic was us … we’re the ones that keep each other going,” explains FDNY Captain (ret.) Frank Leto. And so began the expansion of the FDNY Counseling Service Unit for which Leto served for years as deputy director, building peer support teams to help other first responders through a variety of incidents beyond Sept. 11 and industries beyond the fire service. And that mission continues today, as Leto works with several organizations focused on behavioral health and resilience. Plus, we dig into this: The question, “Who has the best therapist?” as a positive cultural shift Why the depression level spikes for firefighter-retirees What we can learn from women about coping skills Workaholism being as unhealthy as other addictions The effort to “bottle the kitchen table” – and become a millionaire in the process 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.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Joanne Rund says of her retirement from the Baltimore County Fire Department where she has served as chief for the past five years. But Rund isn’t done with her service mission. As she hangs up the helmet in Baltimore, she’s donning a new cap to serve as director of family programs with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. At this milestone moment, Rund reflects on everything from her early introduction to the fire service to that last major call – the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Plus, we dig into all this: Rund’s transition from hair stylist to firefighter Rebuilding trust at the command staff level Her proudest moment from her tenure at Baltimore County Fire Advice for her successor 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.

There has been considerable discussion about the pending consolidation of four PPE standards on clothing, work uniforms, SCBA and PASS devices into one PPE mega-standard: NFPA 1970. PPE expert Jeff Stull, president of International Personnel Protection Inc., shares the inside scoop on the likely changes to come based on a recent technical committee meeting. He also provides guidance on the unique standards update process and how the NFPA works to strike a balance between what’s best for the safety of firefighters without causing undue stress for fire departments. Additional resources: The NFPA Standards Series On-demand webinar: How changes in new NFPA standards for turnout gear and SCBA will affect the fire service Stull’s FireRescue1 PPE column This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MSA, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality, fire-rescue and safety solutions, protecting first responders around the word since 1914. For more information, visit MSAfire.com. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!

Firefighter Philip Clark has been through some significant changes. At 38, he became a rookie for the second time in his life, despite having 20 years on the job. He went back to school to attain not one but two associate degrees. But most importantly, Clark took action to improve his health and lost nearly 100 pounds in the process. But making big changes doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Clark tapped into his support system and took a hard look in the mirror to identify his root issues. He shares some key guidance for taking similar action – plus, we dig into all this: The Pandora’s box problem affecting so many first responders The vicious cycle of health challenges – and his top recommendation for change The lessons learned from being the “old guy in the academy” The importance of moving in the right direction, even if slow-going Read more from Clark: The (nearly) 40-year-old rookie: A different experience the second time around A weight off my shoulders … and the rest of me  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.

As we approach the anniversary of the Sofa Super Store fire, we’re revisiting our conversation with Dr. David Griffin, assistant chief of administration in Charleston, S.C., who shared powerful lessons learned from the tragic fire in which nine of his fellow firefighters died. Griffin explains his initial resistance to change following the fire; discusses why so many members retired after the incident; opens up about the various coping mechanisms he tried following the deadly incident, including MMA; and shares his subsequent realization about not knowing what he didn’t know – and diving head-first into absorbing training and operations resources. Resources we mentioned on the show "15 years later: ‘We are home-growing our leaders’ in Charleston” "In Honor of The Charleston 9: A Study of Change Following Tragedy" “The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team”