Andi Clark is known online as The Elite Trainer for Police and First Responders and creator of her signature program 911 Elite Performance. She’s the wife of a Police Officer and an expert in peak performance and how stress physically affects your body. She is renowned for her ability to reverse and prevent burnout in First Responders, then help them regain their athletic conditioning, so they can thrive throughout their entire career—online and offline—as well as her refreshingly relatable and no-BS approach.
Life wasn’t always as burnout free for Andi. She has a genetic stress condition that puts her body into an increased stress response state all the time. Similar to what Police Officers and First Responders experience when they put on their uniform and mentally prepare for whatever may happen in their day.
It took Andi over 20 years with two very big burnout crashes (one while pregnant) to figure out why her doctors, specialists and the prescriptions given to her were not able to help. And that what was happening to her was not a mental health issue.
Through her recovery she formulated a completely different way to look at and handle burnout.
Once she realized that her husband was thriving while his colleagues were struggling with the same symptoms, she had experience she knew that she couldn’t keep her findings to herself. They needed help. She could provide it. And 911 Lifestyle was born. Andi now speaks and coaches Officers and First Responders all over the world:

Please remember, we need your help to allow us to assist our Brothers and Sisters in dire straits. Please visit our website, https://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org and look for the photo of the “Q,” to make your donation.


Photo Courtesy of & Copyright the CDC (Centers for Disease Control)

I am pleased to welcome back, Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson as we continue discuss his passion in the fire service: mentoring. Chief Johnson recently had an article on this topic published in FIREHOUSE® Magazine.

If you have not listened to Part 1 of our interview in Episode 5-20 of “5-Alarm Task Force,” Chief Johnson explained that even though he himself had been mentored at age 15, when he began his firefighting career as a 15-year-old in Katy TX, when he was promoted to Lieutenant in his current career department, he saw his failure to do the same for a young recruit that came to him for help. It was that self-admission that proved to be the “seed” that spurred the Chief to live and teach by his creed for every firefighter, “Do your damn job!” which he sees as mentoring.

Having been personally mentored when I joined my first volunteer department, I know the benefits it had for me; someone who had no experience or background in the fire service, other than strong admiration. However, as a live-long educator, I know exactly what Chief Johnson is talking about. It is indeed up to each of us, no matter how long we have been serving our departments, to help the newest members find their way to the path that will make them great firefighters! So, watch the video or tune-in to our audio podcast and listen to the Chief’s message.

And please remember, we need your help to allow us to assist our Brothers and Sisters in dire straits. Please visit our website, https://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org, scroll down the Homepage and look for the photo of the “Q,” to make your donation.

In 1966, top leaders and instructors in the American Fire Service gathered for the Wingspread I conference. Their focus was not to look at what the fire had done in the past, but to look forward to the changes and challenges that faced them in the future. At that first meeting, it was decided to hold the conference once every 10 years. And until now, this conference was indeed held every decade, the most recent being in 2016. However, at that conference, the idea was raised of changing the span from 10 years to 5 years.

The founder of the Johnson Foundation had the initial conference center designed by world-renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1990, the facility was added to the National Historic Register. And this summer, the Wingspread VII conference will take place there, once again.

Attending will be nearly 30 of the best leaders in the fire service, public health, EMS, and others, who will come together for several days. Again, they will not be looking back (except for the pandemic) but looking to the coming 5 years. What new challenges will they bring? What new equipment will we need? How might we deal with this issue or that one?

My guests are Chief Bruce Varner and Chief Dennis Rubin, who are working together (along with many others) to setup and assure another successful meeting of some of the best minds in these fields. Both men are icons in the fire service for their previous work on this conference and they share this formal announcement of it on this episode.

You can watch the video on our YouTube® channel, “5-Alarm Task Force Corp” or listen to the audio version on your favorite podcast platform or our website, www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org.

And please remember – we need your support to we can continue to assist our Brothers and Sisters and/or their families, in dire need. Just visit out website and click on the photo of the “Q!”

Photo Courtesy the NFPA

Chief John Vance had been Chief of the Minnetonka MN Fire Dept. since 2013. However, many of us know the Chief from the website, www.bshifter.com, where along with Nick and John Brunacini, they carry on the message of one of the greats of our time, the late Chief Alan Brunacini. As a student of “Chief Bruno,” Chief Vance leads by the mantra, “Be Safe, Be Effective and Be Nice!”
Chief Vance has been a BLUE Card Lead Instructor since its inception in 2008. The course provides strong command lessons, for everyone, from the firefighter called up to sit in the “right seat,” to line and chief officers, However, simply taking the course and passing the exam is not enough; one needs to live by the lessons learned in the BLUE card course!
We also discuss the “All or Nothing” approach when it comes to strategy and tactics. Of course, this has been a hot topic on social media, but I believe that Chief Vance brings some clarity into the discussion, without taking “sides.”
He will be back for Part 2 of our discussion in August, when we kick-off Season 6 of “5-Alarm Task Force” in mid-August.
And please do not forget that we need your financial assistance to be able to assist our Brother and Sister firefighters, and/or their families, in dire need. Just visit our website at https://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org and either select DONATE from the top menu or just click on the photo of the Q2B siren to donate.
Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

Chief (ret) Dan Jones and business partner, Kelly Walsh are not newcomers to “5-Alarm Task Force.” But this time they return to announce the release of their new book, “Facing the Fire – Stories to Ignite Leadership Excellence.” (There is a special availability on Amazon – for 3 days, starting 4/28/2021, download the digital copy for just $.99!)
This book is based on their more than five years of teaching and coaching members of the fire service who are interested in leadership positions and want to learn what it takes to do so. With Chief Jones’ more than 40 years of experience and Kelly’s many years in Human Resources (including 10 years with a large municipal fire department), nonprofit and corporate, they bring a refreshing and incredibly positive message, both towards personal growth and for those looking to promote in the fire service.
If you are open to continue to learn throughout your career and improve yourself, as well as your leadership skills and abilities, this is the book for you!

Watch the video on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp.( https://youtu.be/YALrv5ljQIQ) or check out the audio on our website, www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org or your favorite podcast platform!

One of the great leaders of today’s fire service is Chief Gary Ludwig, of the Champagne IL Fire Dept., and immediate Past-President of the IAFC. When he took office, he created a strong, international, promotion for firefighter health and wellness. Part of that promotion is his, “If you don’t feel well, DON’T make it your Farewell,” PSA.

Chief Ludwig began his career and the age of 18 with the City of St. Louis Fire Dept. and served for 25 years, retiring as Chief Paramedic. Subsequently, he served 10 years as Deputy Fire Chief for the Memphis Fire Dept. He was a prolific writer and author, penning articles in FIREHOUSE® Magazine for over 20 years and contributed additional articles to every major fire and EMS trade in the country.

Chief Ludwig teaches better leadership and management methods for line, administrative and chief officers. And he shares some of those methods with us today, including his dedication to keeping firefighters alive and well, through proactive practices.

His most recent book, “Fully-Involved Leadership,” is currently available on his website, www.fullyinvolvedleadership.com, and he shares some info on his newest book, as well.

Watch the video on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., or check out the audio on our website, www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org or your favorite podcast platform!

Very few people have ever joined the fire service and knew everything they needed to know on his/her first day! Sure, many came from a lineage of firefighters in the family and had a general idea of what goes on. However, on your first day that you show up to start, whether at an academy or at a station, you’re as fresh and innocent as a newborn! And even if you attend an academy, there is no way that you can be taught everything today’s firefighter needs to know! So, how do we fill in that space?

Sadly, in some cases, it is expected to take place by, what I refer to as self-osmosis; you simply absorb what you see. Yet, as most of us realize, that doesn’t even occur in a school classroom, so why do we expect it to work in a job where our responsibility is to protect lives and property!

Our guest is Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson of the Pearland TX Fire Dept. Chief Johnson shares with us how he learned coming up through the ranks and how he realized that a failure in his leadership with a firefighter, taught him the importance of mentoring and how crucial it is for every department to strongly encourage those with experience to take on the ever-important task of being a mentor.

Watch the video on our YouTube® Channel, “5-Alarm Task Force Corp., or tune in on your favorite podcast platform or our website at https://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org.

If you ARE a firefighter, career, volunteer, wild land or, if you aspire to be a firefighter, my guest has some excellent reading for you!

Capt. Jim Moss has recently published, “The Firefighter Success Book,” (www.firefightersuccessbook.com). Besides his career as a firefighter and officer, Capt. Moss has also been a partner, along with Chief Dan Kerrigan, on books, lectures and presentations on firefighter fitness. With this book though, he has gathered phrases, memes and stories to help you, the reader, to be a better firefighter. No, not with specific tools or tactics, rather to grow and become overall, a better person.

When you visit the website above, take advantage of the free download offer of “101 Rules for Firefighter Success,” I can honestly tell you that even at my age, I still learned a lot from this excellent list that Capt. Moss has put together. Reading and studying this list will lead you to want to read his book, as well!

Check it out on our YouTube® channel, “5-Alarm Task Force Corp,” on our website, https://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org” or your favorite podcast platform!

If you have been a firefighter from around 1977 until today, you have heard of, seen and or read, FIREHOUSE® Magazine. Moreover, you have probably seen or even attended, FIREHOUSE® EXPO or WORLD conferences.

Founded in 1976 by FDNY Firefighter Dennis Smith, it quickly became a staple in many firehouses around the country and yes, even beyond. It took us right on the streets and roads of America, as we read the stories about incidents, learned new methods and tactics, and sage advice from some of the best leaders and instructors in the Fire Service. Just like the rest of us, the magazine and the entire company matured over the years. The EXPO became THE place to be each summer. The WORLD was added during the winter months, usually in a location with mild winters! Nevertheless, the crowds came, studied, learned, practices and listened.

Current Editor-in-Chief and Conference Director, Peter Matthews did not start at the helm. He has been with FIREHOUSE® for nearly twenty-two years! Moreover, Peter grew up in a firefighting family and started his career reporting incidents for his local newspaper, while still in high school. He has served as a volunteer firefighter in several departments. This background provided him with the experience and sights, that would lead him to be hired by FIREHOUSE®.

Join us as we take a peek, “behind the curtain,” and learn more about the man, Peter Matthews and see what in-store for the future of FIREHOUSE®. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or on our website, http://www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org.

Photo © FIREHOUSE®.com

Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Service – Be you career, volunteer, paid-on-call and wildland: THIS IS THE GEAR WE WEAR TO PROTECT US WHEN WE ARE NEEDED TO ANSWER THE CALL!
Until just a few years ago, we thought that, as long as we followed the Gross Decon procedures, shared throughout the fire service, we would remain relatively safe. And what happened several years ago to change that way of thinking? Our Brother from Massachusetts who, just after being promoted to Lieutenant, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to file his papers. His wife, Diane, while supporting her husband, wanted to know how this could happen. Her determination and perseverance led to the discovery that our bunker gear, just might be killing us from the inside, with “forever chemicals,” often referred to as PFOS, used in Teflon® coatings and waterproofing.
Capt. Sean Mitchell’s (of the Nantucket MA Fire Dept.) eyes were opened after he started following Diane’s posts on social media, especially because a fellow firefighter in his department, had also been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sean began contacting the PPR manufacturers and requesting documents ascertaining the safety of the gear. The information he received, he found out, was not necessarily accurate. The more he investigated, the more he and the president of the Fall River MA Firefighters’ local, were convinced that the manufacturers were being disingenuous.
Learn here what Sean did, together with many other firefighters in the IAFF did at their recent, virtual convention, to show the manufacturers that we will not simply accept their “science” and assurances. No more!

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or at our website, www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org.