Better Every Shift

The highly complex, dynamic nature of the fireground makes adaptive thinking particularly vital for firefighters and incident commanders. Our guests on this podcast – Keith Stakes and Craig Weinschenk, UL Fire Safety Research Institute research engineers – break down how to incorporate such critical thinking into training, plus the importance of using a “flowchart mindset” to manage nuance on the fireground. They also detail the newly released FSRI research, “Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Family Single-Story Residential Structures.”

We dig into all of this:

• The biggest takeaways – and surprises – from the data

Episode power quote: “People should be taking research and utilizing that to be more aggressive while at the same time being safer and more efficient.”

Hot seat sneak peek: Favorite (and least favorite) subjects in school

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How many lithium-ion batteries do you have in your house? We’ve all got ’em, which means there are countless opportunities for them to spark. On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle speak with Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine about the Firefighter Safety Stand Down, this year focused on Li-ion battery fires. Wallentine, who represents the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival section, one of the Safety Stand Down partner organizations, highlights training opportunities and resources, shares life safety messaging for the community, and addresses the evolution of the Li-ion battery issue, from EVs to e-bikes and beyond.

We dig into all of this:

• Behind the scenes of the theme-selection process

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This week’s episode is extra “golden,” as Zam says, because we have not one, but two Goldfeders on the show – Loveland-Symmes Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder and his son Brian Goldfeder, a captain with the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Fire/EMS Department. The Goldfeders dig into all things fire families – and if you know Billy, you know he’s all about family.

The team gets into all of this: Billy’s reactions and advice when Brian first considered joining the fire service; what it was like being a “coach’s kid” in the fire service – and when to use the coach as a sounding board; and finding balance between family life and work life – and why the fire service makes that so difficult.

Don’t miss: The mini-academy concept for fire families

Episode power quote: “As a firefighter, we are always talking about serving others, helping others, being selfless; well, you gotta be that way at home too.”

Hot seat sneak peek: Brian’s best advice for newly promoted members

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Victor Stagnaro joins the podcast to talk about his recent appointment as CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Stagnaro had previously served as the NFFF managing director, overseeing family and fire service programs, and now steps into the role of CEO, succeeding Chief Ron Siarnicki. We dig into all of this: Stagnaro’s primary focus over the next few months; who he’ll turn to for advice during the transition and beyond; new ways the foundation can support families; and how firefighters can champion the NFFF mission. Don’t miss: Who Victor calls the wisest man he’s every met. Hot Seat sneak peek: Stair climb motivational music

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Today’s podcast unpacks the complex topic of go/no-go decision-making, focusing on vertical ventilation and search tactics. Our guest for the discussion is Training Chief Vince Bettinazzi, who authored one of the articles in FireRescue1’s latest training tool, “Go/no-go decision making on the fireground,” which is available to download and share with your crews.

We dig into all of this: “Aggressive” vs. “attack” semantics; how to update size-up reports; pulling off AARs even when you can’t gather the full crew; and more. Plus, don’t miss: Bettinazzi’s pocket doors pro tip for search crews.

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EMS leader and advocate Chris Cebollero joins Better Every Shift for a very special crossover event. No, this isn’t the One Chicago universe but rather the Lexipol Media Group universe, with Inside EMS podcast co-host Cebollero joining Zam and Janelle to talk all things fire-based EMS, leadership, community paramedicine and more. Cebollero digs into some of the pressing issues facing EMS, including the need for leaders to prioritize the workforce and give members every opportunity to succeed. The team gets into all of this: A critical rule for handling mental health calls; the secret for motivating a workforce; what Cebollero sees as the future of EMS in 5-10 years; and Cebollero’s “advice to the haters” who don’t want to run EMS calls.

Don’t miss: The one call that has stayed with Cebollero throughout his career

Hot seat sneak peek: His favorite Inside EMS episodes

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Digging into all things training, culture and motivation, this week’s show features Nick Martin, division chief with the City of Salisbury (N.C.) Fire Department and founder and president of Combat Ready Fire Training. The team hits on several topics: What it means to be combat-ready for the job; the difference between aggressive and reckless fire attack; stories of Martin’s personal evolution on the job and the standard to which he now holds himself; vetting trainers in a world when anyone can have their own social media channel; and the power of sharing the “why” with new members.

Don’t miss: Martin’s take on the “bashing” that occurs online among firefighters.

Episode power quote: “One thing I’ve learned about culture is you attract what you advertise. If you advertise that you’re the fire department where you can sit in a recliner and get paid, then that’s exactly who’s going to come work for you.”

Hot seat sneak peek: The chief's personal favorite drill.

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On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle recap FDIC 2023 and their attempts to meet all 52,000 attendees packed into the exhibit hall, educational sessions, Lucas Oil stadium and the bleachers outside for the hands-on demos.

The duo reveals their highs and lows, plus some memorable moments and takeaways:

• Favorite hallway run-ins

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Today’s show challenges fire service leaders to think big – at least bigger – than the status quo. Fire Chief Randy Bruegman, who served as past president of the IAFC and CPSE, offers guidance for how to move beyond a myopic focus on day-to-day fire department management to a more strategic mindset about operations and the future of our organizations – and really why all fire chiefs need to push the envelope if they expect their departments to survive and thrive amid the myriad changes ahead.

Plus, we get into all this: The chief’s theory about why firefighters dislike change so much; fire service “yes men,” egos and inertia; and The Leadership Crucible Foundation.

Don’t miss: The power of the words “you have potential.”

Episode power quote: “If you’re a chief listening to this, you need to start looking at how you position your organization today for the next 10 years out. If you’re not doing that, you’re not doing your job, and you out to just hang it up and give it to somebody who will do it.”

Hot seat sneak peek: Bruegman’s favorite drummer – yes, drummer.

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“Perfect practice makes automatic” is the key takeaway from this mayday training-focused episode, sponsored by L3Harris. Mandan City (N.D.) Training Officer Andy Beck unpacks his latest article, which is featured in FireRescue1’s latest digital edition, The Mayday Training Evolution, and offers several tips for how to train on mayday situations that are realistic enough to build muscle memory but not so difficult that members repeatedly fail, building bad habits.

Plus, we get into all this: the body’s physiological response during mayday incidents; yoga breathing vs. tactical breathing; and Beck’s favorite mayday training props.

Don’t miss: The story of the ranger, his sidearm and a football game.

Episode power quote: In the fire service, “You don’t really ever have to completely grow up, and because of that, it’s a collection of some of the smartest people that just don’t have regular jobs.”

Hot seat sneak peek: His desert island movies.

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