Dr. David Griffin, assistant chief of administration in Charleston, S.C., joins Better Every Shift this week, sharing powerful lessons learned from the tragic Sofa Super Store fire where nine of his fellow firefighters died; his journey to find himself and his mission after the tragedy; how he resurfaced his love of learning; and how he manages to keep all the plates spinning amid his work schedule, speaking engagements and business ventures.  

Plus, we get into all this: Griffin’s initial resistance to change following the fire; acknowledging why so many members retired after the incident; the various coping mechanisms he tried to navigate the trauma, including MMA; and his subsequent realization about not knowing what he didn’t know – and diving head-first into absorbing training and operations resources.

• Don’t miss: The power of combining years of operational experience with a “super nerd” appetite for learning

Resources we mentioned on the show

• 15 years later: ‘We are home-growing our leaders’ in Charleston

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Buckle up for an electric episode, driving hard into everything firefighters need to know about electric vehicle fires. Puns notwithstanding, Zam and Janelle are thrilled to speak with Patrick Durham, a captain and training officer with the Troy (Michigan) Fire Department who also works as a mechanical engineer. Durham started StacheD Training to educate firefighters on a variety of technical topics, including the unique aspects of responding to EV incidents, so he’s the right person to answer all of Zam’s scenario-based questions about how to handle various EV fire situations.

Plus, we get into all this: Durham’s takes on the various products for extinguishing EV fires; tips for determining whether it’s an EV battery fire or a standard vehicle fire; and how long it takes for an EV fire to burn itself out.

Don’t miss: The smart SCBA analogy to lithium-ion battery fires

Hot seat sneak peek: Durham’s dream car … but is it an EV?

Bonus reading: Electric vehicle fires: Where the waiting game wins

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Get ready for a healthy dose of smack talk from some unexpectedly competitive fire service leaders. Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. fire administrator; Chief Eriks Gabliks, superintendent of the National Fire Academy; Dr. Sara Jahnke, director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research; and Chief Bryan Frieders, president/CEO of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network are going head to head in the Better Every Shift Challenge, a wellness competition that hopefully inspires you – yes, YOU – to join the challenge to better your health.

The leaders share the origins of the challenge, which did involve some of those tough conversations among friends. Just remember that the participants all have a profound love and respect for each other: “Yeah, we’ll banter just like we do at the firehouse, but it’s really out of concern and love for everybody,” Frieders notes.

Join the Challenge at Fire Rescue Fitness. Your contribution goes to great fire service organizations: Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Science Alliance/Science to the Station, and the First Responder Center for Excellence.

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The first firefighter-influencer of the modern era shares how his early speaking nerves transformed into a love of making comedy videos

Patton reveals his favorite Fire Department Chronicles video to film, the call that made him laugh the hardest (and later served as great material for a video), plus the video that put him on the map. Plus, we get into all this: His best advice for firefighters getting into the social media space; how he chooses his passion projects; and "micro-dosing happiness."

• Don’t miss: The hilarious story of his first attempt to teach a CPR class

Resources we mentioned on the show

• Fire Department Chronicles

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Get ready to kick back on the metaphorical couch because on this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle talk to Dr. Rachelle Zemlok – a first responder-focused psychologist, who also happens to be married to a fire captain – about all things firefighter relationships: stress-related competition between partners; assuring firefighters that they are in control of their therapy session; the one word that defines the trickiness of firefighter relationships; and a lot of simple ways to, quite simply, not blow up your marriage.

Plus, we get into all this: Gottman’s research into the ‘four horsemen’ of the relationship apocalypse; the most important post-shift question before you get home; why therapy isn’t a competition and therapists aren’t referees; and how much to talk to your spouse about your shift.

What else …

• Don’t miss: The top issue she helps first responder couples navigate

Got an idea for the show? Email [email protected]. 

On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam talks to Fire Chief Jason Caughey from the Laramie County (Wyoming) Fire Authority about fire service relationships, communication and making connections with the community, plus all this: Why years 2-8 are tough on firefighters; the problem with our marketing efforts; the fire service similarities to credit unions; and questions about whether the fire service is “softening.”

What else …

• Hot seat sneak peek: His dream (non-fire service) career

Got an idea for the show? Email [email protected]. 

This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is extra super because Zam and Janelle are talking all things Super Bowl with Glendale (Arizona) Captain Ashley Losch, digging into the fire and EMS preparations, training and coordination for this year’s big game. Captain Losch details the many moving parts of “Super Season,” what they’ve learned from the past two Super Bowls the city has hosted, plus how the Damar Hamlin incident prompted additional questions. Plus, we get into all this:

• The big messaging change for this year

What else …

• Hot seat sneak peek: Best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time

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On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle dig into the big stories, hot takes and moments that moved us from the month:

• Damar Hamlin’s medical emergency live on Monday Night Football – and the many “takes” that followed;

We also recognize Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and offer simple tips for talking to your doctor about the unique health risks firefighters face on the job.

Resources we mentioned on the show …

• Fallen FDNY firefighter donates organs to 5, including 2 retired firefighters

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This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit Lexipol.com.

On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle talk to a dear friend, Loveland (Colorado) Fire Rescue Authority Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach, about what it was like to serve as the editor-in-chief of two major fire service publications, then transition back into fire department life. The chief reflects on his family's fire service connection, his vision for Loveland, and how his career has come full circle.

Plus, we get into all this:

• A “spicy” analogy for old school vs. new school leadership

What else …

• Don’t miss: When it’s OK to make the fire chief uncomfortable

Resources we mentioned on the show …

• Chief Sendelbach’s father, Ed, pins the golden badge

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The Raleigh firefighter and peer support advocate explains her perspective on healthy boundaries, therapy and why connection is life-sustaining

On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Raleigh Battalion Chief Dena Ali joins the crew for a candid conversation about firefighter behavioral health, its connection to physical health, and her belief that the fire service needs its leaders to go beyond simply referring members to actually connecting with their members. We dig into that, plus all this:

• The sleep stat that shocked us

What else …

• Question: Does taking a nap make you lazy?

Note: We did experience some minor technical difficulties on the video version, so check out how we replaced Zam’s pixelated look about halfway through the show.

Resources we mentioned on the show …

• ‘Be a not-knower’: The power of leading with humility

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Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.