Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

39 years of combination experience. A Battalion Chief on B shift with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Doctorate of management in organizational leadership. I wanted Candice to come on and share her story of how and why she got into the fire service but also wanted her to preach on Organizational leadership challenges and issues within departments across the nation and she did not disappoint. Often, problems aren't solely the fault of one individual, but rather indicators of flaws in the organization's systems or processes. A "blame culture" focuses on who to blame rather than what went wrong and how to fix it. When employees fear repercussions for admitting mistakes or taking risks, they may be less likely to collaborate, share ideas, and take ownership of their actions. Instead of focusing on assigning blame, organizations should prioritize learning from mistakes and identifying ways to improve. I would like to encourage all crews to listen to this interview, together if possible. Absorb the information being said, process it then ask yourself if you fit into this category.

19 years of combination experience. A Captain with Buckhannon Fire-Rescue in West Virginia. Cadre member with Insight Fire Training and adjunct instructor for West Virginia University extension. Like many others I’ve been fortunate to interview Firefighting wasn’t on Joey’s radar. While in college and being apart of a community service group the fire service came into the picture and Joey went for it starting out as a volunteer and then transitioning to a career Firefighter within a year. During his career Joey sought out the information he needed to be the best version of himself and for the fire service which unbeknownst to him led him down a path towards TIC’s and the rest is history. I hope the conversations had between Joey and I can resonate with the listeners.IG: baxajl

35 years of career experience. Recently retired in May as Deputy Chief of Operations for Oklahoma City fire department. Growing up Mike didn’t have aspirations of being a Firefighter. It wasn’t until a friend of Mike began describing and explaining what the job entailed which got his friend into the profession with Mike following suit. Once he was in it was game over. Mike was fortunate to get a crew that showed him the true meaning of brotherhood and being a Firefighter. A bond of unity, mutual support, and care. It's a sense of shared purpose, trust, and loyalty, where individuals treat each other with the same warmth and respect as they would their own family. Mike hit several damn good positions on leadership, aggressiveness & our own mental health.

Dr. Dave Mather- A retired Commander with 38 years of law enforcement experience 22 of those active. Owner and operator of What’s-a-Mather consulting where he goes around the world teaching organizations on deliberate leadership, culture change & public safety consulting. Dave has worked with more than 400 agencies around the world supporting public safety and the communities they serve. Yes you heard & read that right with law enforcement. Dave came highly recommended from Ricky “Esco” Escolero who told me I had to get him on and talk anything and everything leadership. Dave did not disappoint and hit so many targets when it came to leadership and organizations that I’m sure any Firefighter listening will be able to relate to. Realizing it's acceptable to incorporate outside instruction in a learning environment, such as a guest speaker, can be a positive step for enhancing employee engagement and providing diverse learning experiences. This shift can foster a more holistic and enjoyable learning environment for the organization. LinkedIn: Dave Mather

Josh Watt- 6 years of combination experience. A Engineer with Converse Fire Department in Texas on Ladder 172. Josh never wanted to be a Firefighter. He was approached by a few who asked him a couple questions which he responded no to but as they kept prying they found one that intrigued him and got Josh to say yes to. The definition of Opportunity is a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Those circumstances within Josh’s life has got him to where he is today and I truly want the listeners to hear some great truth bombs on various topics Josh and I discussed. Being the best version of yourself is great but for Josh he wants to make sure first and foremost that he is a great father and husband to his family. IG: saywatt_1227

40 years of combination experience with 27 of those being served with the FDNY. Retired Capt of Ladder 123. Mike started as a volunteer with Hailsite Fire Department in NY. Going career wasn’t on his mind as Mike was making very good money as a heavy machinery rigger. It wasn’t until a friend told him about career civil service that Mike then transitioned to being a Police Officer for a stint then moved on to Firefighting which the rest of his career speaks for itself. I throughly enjoyed listening to Mike speak about his career and different viewpoints within the service. But the most important topic he spoke on is making sure we as Firefighters have our own “Household” in order before worrying about everything else with our careers.

22 years of combination experience, 3rd generation Firefighter. A Second Lieutenant EMT with Colleton Fire-Rescue in South Carolina. Fire service runs deep within the Weber family. Shane started out as a junior volunteer FF before moving up and ultimately pursuing a full-time career position. What’s important throughout Shane’s story is how even though they didn’t know at the time they were giving him solid advice Shane looked at these individuals as mentors. Mentors have a powerful impact on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations, and contribute to overall feelings of belonging. Mentoring helps connect to an individual’s personal growth & development. One of my favorite parts is when Shane discusses the topic on Brotherhood and how the fire service showed up in full force when he needed it the most. IG: sweber418

12 years of combination experience. Backstep Firefighter for Rutherford County Fire-Rescue assigned to Station 60, Citizens First cadre instructor. Josh was going to school pursuing an education when he discovered the volunteer fire service. After a few years under his belt as Josh states he was hit by the “Bug” and fell in love. Doing some homework Josh found out he could live his dream full-time by going career. With that notion he applied and got on at a department in Kentucky but wasn’t truly feeling fulfilled. He left and got on to Rutherford County where he truly felt his expectations were being met. Josh clearly states there’s no ill will towards his former organization but sometimes you have to step back researching potential options, assessing cultural fit, and understanding the company's decision-making process. My favorite quote from him was “Master the basic skill set to the point it looks advanced.”IG: j_wheeler94

30 years of combination experience, 3rd generation Firefighter. A Lieutenant with the FDNY on a truck company in East Harlem & creator of Top Floor Tactics podcast. Mickey’s indoctrination into the fire service was during a time America as a whole were more united than ever. When you hear Mickey speak there’s no denying the love he has for the profession. Fireman can sense BS a mile away. When one finds their true calling, they discover a sense of purpose and direction in life, often associated with a deep passion or talent they feel drawn to. It's a vocation that provides meaning and fulfills their inner sense of identity. This realization can be a profound and transformative experience. And Mickey Farrell exemplifies just that. IG: topfloortactics

Troy Gibson- 20 years of career experience. A Battalion Chief for Hawaii Fire Department. Troy was a surgical technician in the medical field and never had notions of the fire service. It wasn’t until he had a discussion with a Firefighter that told him how the department works and what they could do to help accelerate his education which in return got Troy intrigued, where he then applied and the rest was history. I was able to gain insight about how Hawaii Fire works but also throughly enjoyed hearing Troy’s viewpoints on different topics we discussed. Hopefully you all can obtain the different gems and nuggets Troy drops throughout the interview. My favorite quote from him was “You will mess up and be ok with that.”