5-Alarm Task Force!

We are honored to welcome back our guests for this podcast, Dr. Caban-Martinez and Dr. Schaefer Solle, who head up the FCI in Florida and share their findings with medical and research teams across the country and in other countries, as well. They have been with us on several occasions and provide us with the latest information on our efforts to reduce cancer in the fire service. 

In this episode, they bring us up to date with the latest news from the front lines of this “battle.” We learn about a new (and not great) rating regarding cancer in the fire service from an international organization that monitors cancer in various jobs. We also learn of a FREE app, the Personal Exposure Tracker, that you can keep on your phone or tablet that helps you keep track of your exposures to various toxins that we deal with on the job. And we learn how toenails (that’s right – toenails!) can help researchers see certain exposures we’ve had! And more!

The show notes for the audio podcast will have numerous links for more information.*

Learn more about their efforts to reduce cancer in the fire service at www.sylvester.org/firefighters. 

You can help us help our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families in dire need, please visit our website at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org.

You can view our videos on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp. or you can listen to our audio podcast on all major podcast platforms and our website, noted above.

* While we were unable to secure the additional links mentioned in the interview in time for this release, we will have them soon.  Please feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] and we will be happy to provide them to you when available!  

Photo Courtesy UM-Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center - Firefighter Cancer Initiative

It is no secret that fire departments across North America are “hungry” for more firefighters, including career, volunteer, paid-on-call and WUI. Why? There are various reasons behind it and if departments are to be successful in this endeavor, it might be a good time to re-think your processes.

There is a new generation of young people interested. And if we can look beyond the fact that they may not have basic tool skills, we just might see that they have other skills that could be very beneficial to a department.

Our guest today is Deputy Chief Dave Robertson. We discuss his premise of , “Hiring Based on Character.” Let’s do away with the 10-item questionnaire that’s been used for 25 years, the expectation that someone in his/her early twenties has five years of firefighting experience behind them and will walk through your door and other ‘old-school” thinking. Chief Robertson posits that if we can create a hiring process based in the 21st century with the numerous life experiences some of these applicants have had, we just might be able to find those men and women who want to be the best firefighter they can be!

To learn more, visit Chief Robertson’s website at:

https://www.fire-edge.com or reach him at [email protected] 

You can help us help our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families in dire need, please visit our website at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org.

You can view our videos on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp. or you can listen to our audio podcast on all major podcast platforms and our website, noted above. 

Photo Copyright Clip Art Key

In the last ten-to-fifteen years, we have heard various terms used to describe the fire service, e.g., “We’re a family,” and “We have a culture.” In a number of ways, both of these phrases can be used with both positive and negative references. There is no doubt that in general, we do have a somewhat unique culture based on how we serve our communities, e.g., career, volunteer, paid-on-call, etc. However, the term, “culture,” has also been used almost to boast that we might be better than other vocations. 

Chief John Vance knows about the fire service culture. With over forty years of experience, there is little about the fire service culture that he doesn’t know. As a Chief officer, he has seen the highs and lows of our culture across many facets of the fire service. 

In this interview we divide the discussion into two parts; first the general view of our culture and some of its impacts and second, how we draw new members into the culture in such a way as they feel comfortable with learning about and then becoming a contributor to that culture. 

To learn more, visit their websites and videos at:

1.    https://www.minnetonkamn.gov/government/departments/fire-department#ad-image-7

2.    https://bshifter.com/about_01.aspx

3.    https://www.youtube.com/@bshifter 

You can help us help our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families in dire need, please visit our website at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org.

You can view our videos on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp. or you can listen to our audio podcast on all major podcast platforms and our website, noted above. 

If you are a firefighter dedicated to being the best you can be, then this podcast/video is for you! Our guest is Capt. Mike Daley, who has nearly 40 years’ experience as a firefighter, officer and instructor. He has presented at national, regional and local conferences. He is also the current president of Kill the Flashover, the organization that runs educational programs and demonstrations, teaching safe and effective firefighting practices. 

On this episode, Capt. Daley tells us about the details of the new NFPA 1700 standard, which will encompass both the previous 1710 and 1720 standards. However, he explains that this new standard includes an implementation section that will assist career and volunteer departments to put the new standard into effect. This is a "game changer," as this will guide departments to put the info from 1700 to good use. "Kill the Flashover" is a program to teach firefighters fine details of fire behavior and much more in their program, "Fire Behavior University." 

Visit their website at www.KillTheFlashover.com.  

To help us help our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families in dire need, please visit our website at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org.

You can watch our videos on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force and you can listen to our audio podcast on all major podcast platforms and our website, noted above. 

When we talk about the fire service and firefighters, our thoughts often go to firefighters working at a fire, HazMat scene, big and shiny apparatus, the firehouse and more. However today, more than ever, we need to look at the humanity of the fire service!

No matter if we are discussing career, volunteer, part-pay or WUI firefighters, they are humans first, they are sons and daughters, moms and dads, husbands, wives, aunts and uncles, etc. Sadly, we are often so focused on the words in the first paragraph that we lose sight that every single firefighter is a person. 

Our returning guest and friend, Assistant Chief Jacob Johnson of the Pearland TX Fire Department and I dig beneath the smoke, flames and turnout gear to talk about the men and women who come to the station every day, ready to meet the challenge of our oaths, “…To protect the lives and property.”

The Chief shares several occurrences in his years as a firefighter and officer. You’ll also learn how his meme, “Do Your Damn Job,” was coined through his own experience as a line officer. 

While we love to hear the “Q” scream and the Grovers clearing the path, we need to remember that we are not robots. We are human beings with all the good and bad that comes with humanity. We just look at it a bit differently than most!

Take a listen – you just might learn something 

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For the Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative: If you need mental health assistance, you can reach out to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance at their website: www.ffbha.org at 847-209-8208 or [email protected] or you can text the word, “BADGE” to 741741, or speak with your officer or clergy. THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

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As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., and listen to the audio version on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on our website, www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org  or on your favorite podcast platform!

For decades and decades, young children have always been enamored, curious and excited to see fire apparatus. Whether it was/is an engine, truck, rescue or even a “buggy,” we all loved to see the flashing lights and hear the sirens. For some, this is where their “connection” ends. For others, they follow through and join the fire service. And some of those children find other paths in life yet are still enthralled with their local fire service and do what they can to follow them and shoot photos of active fire scenes correctly and legally. These are the “Fire Buffs.” And in some communities, Buffs even support the firefighters with cold drinks, hot coffee and sandwiches, if the department does not have it own canteen or rehab support team.

My guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” Andrew Cunningham, has been buffing for over twenty years with the Wheeling WV Fire Department. Andrew shares how it started for him and how, year later he and his co-founder created the Wheeling Fire Buffs. And it bears mentioning that there are indeed stories where those who started as buffs, went on to eventually join a fire department and turn their passion into a way of life. 

You can find Andrew’s photos and more on the following sites:
1.    www.Facebook.com/WheelingsBravest

2.    www.whgfirebuffs.com

3.    www.youtube.com/WheelingFireBuffs 

4.    www.flickr.com/photos/197635805@N08 

Take a listen – you just might learn something 

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For the Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative: If you need mental health assistance, you can reach out to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance at their website: www.ffbha.org at 847-209-8208 or [email protected] or you can text the word, “BADGE” to 741741, or speak with your officer or clergy. THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP YOU!

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As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., and listen to the audio version on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on our website, www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org  or on your favorite podcast platform!

As firefighters we spend a large part of our careers learning our craft. Some learn from the start and keep it going throughout their careers. Others think that from the academy they learned what was necessary and only continue their learning when they have to, i.e., mandatory department training. Across the country, there are often local, regional and national conferences with excellent speakers, instructors and often, “Hot Classes,” too! Yet, how many of us have attended a class to learn how to interface with the people we protect? 

My guest today is Chris Kessinger the founder of Citizens First Fire Training in Ohio. From their website, we see part of their mission statement:

            “Our training and tactics are designed to put the citizens in which we serve as number one and to be the difference in saving their lives when they call us.”

One of our best fire service leaders, the late Chief Alan V. Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Dept., taught, “Our job is to care for Mrs. Smith on her worst day – even if that day, the problem is her cat is in a tree!”

Chris shares with us the concept behind the nearly nineteen years of success for his company and how they custom tailor each and every class to serve the specific needs of the department hiring them. It is a unique and successful process that many of us can and should learn to do the same!

You can reach Chris and his team at: https://www.citizensfirstfiretraining.com/ 

For the Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative: If you need mental health assistance, you can reach out to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance at their website: www.ffbha.org at 847-209-8208 or [email protected] or you can text the word, “BADGE” to 741741, or speak with your officer or clergy. THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP YOU!

Take a listen – you just might learn something. 

As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., and listen to the audio version on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on our website, www.5-AlarmTaskForceCoorp.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

This work, Photo Essay: Fort McCoy firefighters train to save people clinging to ice with surface ice rescue training, by Scott Sturkol, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

We see it almost every day and sometimes, we are as much to blame as anyone else. We’re talking about distracted driving and the very real, very dangerous and fatal toll that it causes. From long conversations on your cell phone to watching videos, sports, etc., each contributes to a distracted driver. This driver may not even notice our flashing lights and multiple emergency vehicles and winds up plowing through the scene, injuring or killing anyone unable to get out of his/her way. 

My guests today are deeply involved in the effort to reduce these incursions and, educate both first responders and the public, that distracted driving is indeed dangerous for all; the driver, anyone in that vehicle, as well as any first responder that cannot get out of the way fast enough. Jack Sullivan and Todd Leiss are lead educators for the Responder Safety Institute (www.respondersafety.com). Brock Aun is with HAAS Alert, (www.haasalert.com) a company that, along with others, is pioneering new technology that, using cellular services, will provide drivers with advance warning of a traffic incident ahead, giving them the necessary time to slow down and move over. 

Every state in America has a “Move Over Law and has signage on major roadways that advise drivers to safely slow their vehicle and move over to allow room for the first responders on the scene. Sadly, many drivers who have encroached on an emergency scene will often say, “I didn’t see a sign,” or “I didn’t know that!” Yet, it is the responsibility of anyone with a driver’s license to know all the “Rules of the Road.” Too often, these drivers seriously injure and/or kill, first responders who are on-scene, to help someone else. And that just might land you with hefty fines and even jail time! 

Take a listen – you just might learn something. 

As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., and listen to the audio version on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on our website, www.5-AlarmTaskForceCoorp.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Challenges…this job has plenty of them! To be a firefighter, there are certain attributes necessary, e.g., good physical condition, willingness to learn, practice tasks, dedication to the task, being aware of what you are getting yourself into, etc. Perhaps this last example is the most important. For while we understand that we will see things that we would not want most others to see, sometimes, those incidents are what trouble us, as well. And some of those can be troubling to us; not just when they occur, but days, weeks, even years later. 

Our guest, District Chief Vernon Hiller of the Toronto Canada Fire Department. With thirty-five years of experience, Chief Hiller has seen it all. And while he has many fire service stories to tell, we discussed what is “beyond” the job of being a firefighter. We discuss the psychological side of the work we do and what the results can be. We are seeing increased occurrences of depression and PTSD troubling our brothers and sisters. 

The Chief discusses the challenges he faced in school at an early age and his strong efforts to overcome those challenges. More importantly, he made strong efforts to overcome those issues and those efforts buoyed him through his fire service career, where he is now a District Chief. 

We can let our challenges overwhelm us or we can be stronger than they are and deal with them, while still getting on with a full and productive life. 

As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on your favorite podcast platform!

If you’ve been a firefighter for more than a year or two, you probably realize that this job is not what you thought it was when you were an adolescent, teen or even a young adult. This profession, career, volunteer, paid-on-call and WUI, is not all fun and excitement. We see and do things that we wouldn’t want our loved ones or good friends to have to do. And those can and often do, exact a huge price!

Our two guests today, Brad Davidson, a former Fire Investigator in Manitoba Canada and Chief Arjuna George of the Vancouver area, share with us the parts of their personal journeys that led them to write their individual books. As you will hear, we discuss the efforts by both of our countries to promote and ensure the Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative. However, it is incumbent upon each of us to know when this job is taking too heavy a toll on us and work to correct that situation. 

Chief George’s book, “Burnt Around the Edges” is available on http://www.BurntAroundTheEdges.com and Amazon.

Inspector Davidson’s Book, “Flames of the Fire: Firefighting Amidst the Explosions,” will be released in May 2023. Watch for its release on www.BradleyRDavidson.com. 

To support our the 5-Alarm Task Force Corp.’s nonprofit program to assist our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families in dire need, please visit our website, https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org and scroll down to the photo of the “Q2B” siren and click!

As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., on our website at www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org, on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on your favorite podcast platform!