Critical Conversations Podcast

Like other first responders, these guys understand the importance of his work. They serve the community and are always ready to save a life on a moment's notice.

It’s an incredibly stressful job, and these guys have learned firsthand how a well-timed laugh can make all the difference in the world for those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Tune in with Nick Delia as he gets to meet up with two guys who have brought light to the comedy we all know goes on behind the scenes in every firehouse:

FF Fenton and Jason Patton, Vice President of Fire Department Coffee and the host of Fire Department Chronicles.

Tune in as we discuss Critical Conversation - Leadership Series: Recruiting and Retaining Emergency Responders.

Our JLN Critical Conversations are free for First Responders. They are lead by JLN Municipal Lead and former Chief, Nick Delia, with invited special guests.

On tonight's episode, we chat with Gettin' Salty's own Kevin Kubler, 19-year veteran of the FDNY, about the Importance of the Senior Man. We will also be discussing surviving the NY Father's Day Fire. Tune in to the show to hear the conversation!

This upcoming week, our JLN Distance Learning Critical Conversation will continue to be lead by former Chief Nick Delia, and include special guest: Fire Chief, Reggie Freeman.  Listen in as we talk differences in leadership, strategies and factors you may not have thought of.

On this episode of Critical Conversations, Nick DeLia is talking The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, with special guests: Chief Ron Kanterman, Honor Guard - Captain Tony Ruggiero, Escorts - Chief Matthew Tobia, Survivor FF Tim Jeffery.

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. The mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

Each October, the Foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Weekend features special programs for families and co-workers along with moving public ceremonies.

Under a Department of Justice grant, the Foundation offers training to help fire departments handle a line-of-duty death. Departments receive extensive pre-incident planning support. Immediately after a death, a Chief-to-Chief Network provides technical assistance and personal support to help the department and the family.

Our guest tonight, Chief Dennis Compton, serves as a respected Executive Advisor for national, state, and local fire service and homeland security organizations. He was the Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona for six years and Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served for 28 years. Chief Compton has Chaired the IFSTA Executive Board and also Chaired the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) National Advisory Council (NAC), where he continues to represent IFSTA. Chief Compton Chaired the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Board of Directors for well over a decade and served as the Secretary of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) Board of Directors as well. He has also served on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors.

Dennis is a widely recognized speaker and author. He has written many articles and chapters for publications, including five of his own books – the two latest being: 1) Progressive Leadership Principles, Concepts, and Tools; and 2) Mental Aspects of Performance for Firefighters and Fire Officers.

Chief Compton is a 2011 Inductee into the National Fire Heritage Center’s Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders; a 2018 Inductee into the Firehouse Legends and Icons National Hall of Fame; and is a charter member of the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) and the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA).

Dennis has received the George D. Post National Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award and was recognized as the American Fire Sprinkler Association Fire Service Person of the Year. He was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the University of Phoenix and received the coveted CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford National Fire Service Leadership Award. Chief Compton has also received the 2014 Dr. John Granito Award for Excellence in Fire Service Leadership and Management Research; the 2016 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) James O. Page EMS Achievement Award; and was awarded the 2019 IAFC President’s Award.

Since 1978, Chief Compton has served on many IFSTA Validation Committees and Task Groups, including as Past Chair of Chief Officer. Dennis was first elected to the IFSTA Executive Board in 1983 and represents IFSTA with many national fire service organizations addressing critical projects, issues, and planning endeavors.

Tune in as we talk the Re-Opening of the National Fire Academy + it's future vision, with the new Superintendent, Eriks Gabliks. Part of our Leadership Series, Eriks talked all things from the Covid shutdown to current accessibility to the National Fire Academy. 

In this episode of Critical Conversations, during our LEADERSHIP SERIES, we sit down with Bobby Halton, the esteemed editor of Fire Engineering Magazine. With decades of experience in the fire service industry, Bobby brings unparalleled insights and expertise to our discussion.

Like most emergency responders, firefighters are expected to be calm, level-headed and able to face even the most challenging situations with courage. They have long been expected to contain their emotions and approach their jobs with logic and reason, with the understanding that only those who have the ability to successfully manage the stress and emotional aspects of the job are cut out for success.

Like most emergency responders, firefighters are expected to be calm, level-headed and able to face even the most challenging situations with courage. They have long been expected to contain their emotions and approach their jobs with logic and reason, with the understanding that only those who have the ability to successfully manage the stress and emotional aspects of the job are cut out for success.