Better Every Shift

“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”

The best words San Francisco Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac heard when she got on the job 27 years ago were “interior offensive aggressive attack” – and she’s still advancing that mindset to her crews and students today. As she explains on this week’s podcast, when it comes to fireground tactics, Juratovac wants to dominate and smash the enemy (aka fire) with so much force that it has no chance of victory – and she does that by being a student of the game day in and day out, honing her skills on everything from incident command and apparatus positioning to forcible entry and roof operations. Juratovac shares tactical tips on all of the above, plus we dig into all this: Three fires that produced important lessons learned How she’s become the “master of her own destiny” at scenes Generational differences in learning the craft Why she advises firefighters and officers to not get “too cute” on the fireground 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!

“Does the job serve you, or do you serve the work?” Meridian (Idaho) Fire Chief Kris Blume wants us to consider our opportunity to serve the work every day, doing the things that don’t always get noticed because it’s the right thing to do in order to be excellent at the craft. But how do you engrain this mindset in the membership? It all comes back to culture. Blume talks all things culture change: the fire department culture diagnostic, the speed of change (from turning around a battleship to maneuvering a speedboat), and the role of mission-driven culture in empowering members to make smart decisions rooted in reason, not fear of reprimand. Plus, we dig into all this: The book Blume deems the most important for the fire service; 3 ways to embrace an “upstream mindset”; Blume’s passion for strategic, integrated CRR; and The journey from “burnout medic” to passionate fire chief – and how he’s paying it forward now. Read more from Chief Blume about adaptive leadership, psychological safety, mentorship, eliminating silos, culture change and much more. 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.

“It all happened really, really fast,” recalls Eric Linnenburger, who learned while working a 48-hour shift on a Friday that he had been chosen as interim deputy chief of operations, starting Monday. Linnenburger, who had been a battalion chief in Westminster, Colorado, for several years, now finds himself making perhaps the most jarring transition in the fire service – from line to admin. Fortunately, Linnenburger has long focused on career development, helping company and chief officers hone the skills for their current positions with an eye toward the future. We dig into all this, plus: Learning to “control the controllable” How to batch learning and exercise An incident play-by-play with a “don’t throw the baby” moment How a fire department physical may have saved his life The “shock and awe” of his new mustache Check out these articles we discuss on the show: Leadership isn’t easy, but stop making it so complicated The ‘messy middle’: Finding your footing in the battalion chief position Successful leaders must be comfortable operating in the gray 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 is one week we’re giving ourselves,” Captain Jim Barnhart of the FDSOA underscores about participating in the Firefighter Safety Stand Down – a unique opportunity for fire and EMS departments to collectively suspend non-emergency activity to focus on this year’s theme, Fire Training: Back to Basics. Joining Barnhart to dig into all the training resources are Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine from the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival section and Battalion Chief Grady Valencis from the IAFF, detailing the five daily focus areas for this year’s event and the 12 foundations of fire department training. Plus, we get into all this: The reasoning behind this year’s theme The crew’s favorite drills How Zam plans to engage his crew This year’s Stand Down takes place June 16-22, meaning you have one month to prepare your training activities. Find resources: Firefighter Safety Stand Down + FireRescue1 SSD resource center. The Stand Down is a joint initiative supported by the aforementioned organizations as well as the NFPA and NVFC. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!