This month I sit down with my boys RJ and Sam. we talk tactics, learning new things, keeping your emotions in check and dealing with the dreaded word, change! It was great to just freestyle the conversation.

Treat your people like you want to be treated

Mar 1st, 2024 1h 3m

This month I speak with Steve Jones. Steve retired from Montgomery County MD as the Operations Deputy Chief. Steve and I have known each other for many years. We both started as High School Cadets for the fire department. Steve talks about his

Your people deserve the best leaders. Train to be the best

Feb 1st, 2024 1h 13m

In this episode I talk with Battalion Chief Rafael Gibson. Chief Gibson is assigned to the Training Academy in Montgomery County Maryland. As chiefs we demand our people to train every day and be the best. Your people expect you to be equally

Going old school with my dad

Jan 1st, 2024 1h 5m

In this episode I sit down with my dad Mike Kerr. We discuss the fire service back in the day and how it has changed. My dad tells his story about his love of the fire service as a kid and how he got started as a volunteer in Prince Georges Cou

To make big changes you have to start small

Dec 1st, 2023 1h

This month I had the pleasure to speak to Asst. Chief Siddiq. We discussed a lot of topics. Change in the fire service is hard and you will be met with resistance if you try to go big right away. The key is to start small, get buy from those cl

The new guy, senior staff and expectations

Nov 1st, 2023 55m 56s

This month I have Stephnie White back on the show. We discuss the new firefighters coming into the service. Are they too soft or are we projecting our rookie time onto them and is that fair? We discussed station members' expectations of seinor

Honest Communications, trust and good relationships = great morale

Oct 11th, 2023 1h 5m

This month I welcome back Dr. Shelly Wheeler. Shelly is a Captain assigned to the training academy in Montgomery County Maryland. Shelly and I talk about how to make morale good in the fire service, foster a culture where firefighter make decis

Who's the mentor? You're the mentor

Sep 1st, 2023 58m

This month I welcome back RJ (Robert James) we dig into the topic of being a mentor. It is important to take the new firefighters under your wing, guide them and set them on the path to be successful. It is everyone’s job to ensure we are turni

The Training Officer steers the ship

Aug 1st, 2023 1h 10m

This month I sit down with Chief Dave McGlynn. We talk about his new book "The Training Officer" Being a training officer is hard work, but rewarding. We talk about the culture of the fire service. Many say we need to change the culture of the

You say you take care of your people, but do you really?

Jul 5th, 2023 1h

You need to invest in your people to know when something is wrong. Firefighters are reluctant to ask for help, so you need to spot trouble and get the help members may need. When you promote to a leadership position you are always on duty for y

Recruitment dilemma and Officer Development

Jun 8th, 2023 1h 15m

This episode I speak with Steve Prziborowski. Steve and I talk about the low recruitment numbers in the fire service. Many jurisdictions are struggling with recruiting the number of potential candidates to come to the job. Once again I discuss

Where Police and Fire intersect

May 10th, 2023 1h 25m

This month I talk with Steve Hamilton. Steve explains the complex incidents the police face and how the fire department fits in to help. There are many hurdles to overcome: building trust building relations training together knowing each other

My random thoughts on fire service life and getting promoted

Apr 16th, 2023 53m 20s

This month I go solo with no guest. I took the time to answer some questions from listeners from social media. I touch several subjects Promotion exams Dealing with difficult people Recognize your shortcomings What made me decide to be a chi

Moving the Fire Service Forward by not being an a$$ hole!

Mar 6th, 2023 1h 9m

This month I speak with Stephanie White. Stephanie is an 18 year veteran career firefighter in the Washington Metro area. She hosts a podcast on Fire Engineering called "5 after Midnight" Stephanie and I talk about EEO in the fire service and h

Leadership learned through the eyes of a Coast Guardsmen

Feb 1st, 2023 1h 19m

This month I speak with Jessica Shafer. Jessica talks about her time as a young Coast Guardsmen to being the first female commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment. She navigated many hurdles to become a respected officer in

Risk Management, in the fire service and the world

Jan 7th, 2023 59m 8s

I welcome back Dr. (Capt.) Shelly Wheeler We talk about risk management, how we approach it on the fire ground and how the business world deals with it. Our fire service has evolved over the years, but the dangers are still there. We have becom

Navigating the minefield of a bad boss

Dec 1st, 2022 1h 7m

On this episode Frank Ricci and I offer advice on dealing with a boss who only has his interests in mind. How can the Sr. firefighter approach the officer to initiate a conversation. What to do if there is a trust issue with line officers or ch

Learn, Lead and Pass it on

Nov 1st, 2022 1h 6m

I welcome Asst. Chief Justin McCarthy of the New Haven Fire Dept. to the show. Justin and I talk about the lack of leadership training in the fire department. What would a good leadership class would look like. How do we encourage our people to

Who helps the helpers

Oct 3rd, 2022 1h 5m

I took the show in a different direction this month. As emergency service workers and military, we are exposed to terrible things. There are times we need help to cope and process. We are fortunate to have Behavioral Health Specialists imbedded

Why does the boss Micromanage

Sep 10th, 2022 59m 39s

Sam and I talked about what to do when the boss has his hands in your job and how you can resolve the issue. Good respectful communication is key. Most likely the boss does not realize he is micromanaging you. As an officer you need to make de

Leading Through Training

Aug 7th, 2022 1h 10m

I welcome Dave McGlynn to my show. Dave is the Training Assistant Chief at Letterkenny Army Depot. Dave shares his experience as a chief on how to overcome shortcomings, lack of experience and administrative knowledge through training, putting

Combination Systems in the fire department

Jul 16th, 2022 1h

RJ and Sam join me in the studio to discuss combination fire and rescue system and the challenges that arise in these systems. COVID has eased up and we are being called to teach more. We talk about upcoming classes we are teaching and how trai

How do we communicate with each other

Jun 5th, 2022 1h 3m

Frank Ricci and I discuss firehouse communications. There are many ways, as leaders we communicate with our officers and firefighters. It is an art and as a boss you have to learn how to master it. The kitchen table is a great place to have dis

Once a Marine and now a Firefighter Pt. 3

May 2nd, 2022 1h 12m

Part 3 of my interview with Dave Braun. Dave has a great story that you have to hear. Make sure you listen to part 1 and 2. To all the leaders out there, make sure you are there for your people. Make sure you recognize when they are in need of