In this firefighter training episode, Anita Brooks and David Soler gives us some tools to help others and ourselves through the emotional battles we go through. We learn about secondary traumatic stress, how constantly dealing with death and destruction affects our people in the fire ground, and how we can properly prevent the stress from building up and breaking us down.

We discuss:

• What is Secondary Trauma?
• What do we need to know about dealing with dealing with death and destruction repeatedly as firefighters?
• What are some of the things that we can to identify the stress in ourselves and others?
• What can we do to help ourselves and others?
• How are we burying stress in to ourselves? What does "We can take stress" mean?
• Some more advice on how can help ourselves and others.

In this firefighter training episode we have Brian Kazmierzak here to tell us about the S.L.I.C.E.-R.S. method and how it incorporates fireground tactics with modern firefighter safety research, the website ModernFireBehavior.com, what has happened over the last 12 months with regards to firefighter close calls, as well as some LODDs.

We discuss:

• What is S.L.I.C.E.-R.S. and how can we use it?
• What is the ModernFireBehavior.com? Who is that for and how can we use it?
• What is FirefighterCloseCalls.com?
• What are ways we can lessen instances of close calls?
• What are the common causes of LODDs and how can we prevent them?

In this firefighter training episode Lt. Scott Ebbert and David Soler share with us how firefighters can do their part in helping investigators in dealing with situations at the fire ground.

We discuss:

• What is spoliation?
• How does spoliation affect us?
• What are some of the consequences of spoliation?
• How can we help the investigator and how do we avoid spoliation?

In this firefighter training episode Jim Moss and David Soler maximizing your potential and being the best that you can be by pouring in to each other.

We discuss:

• What does it take to be a great firefighter?
• What does it take to be a great leader?
• What advice do you have for aspiring officers?
• How did you come up with “iron sharpens iron?” Where did it come from?
• Explain why you are passionate about mentorship in the fire service? What does it take to be a great mentor?

In this firefighter training episode Aaron Zamzow and David Soler share with us why and how members of the fire service should train, eat, and treat our bodies as if we're athletes.

We discuss:

• How vitally important is stretching for firefighters?
• What's the proper way for us to stretch and when do we stretch?
• What are some things we can do to stretch and warm up before we go in to the field?
• How important is hydration?
• How do we keep our bodies hydrated?

In this Firefighter Training Episode, we have a 15-minute training clinic with Captain Brian Smith about the importance of the primary attack line in having a safe fire ground.

We discuss:

• Why is getting the attack line and service vitally important?
• How can we best get that attack line in service quickly and efficiently?
• Why is training important to having an effective attack line?

In this Firefighter Training Episode, David interviews Chief Les Karpluk, author of “Leadership Prescribed,” about the challenges in fire service leadership and some rules to live by to becoming a successful Fire Officer.

Learn the 4 rules for Fire Officer Success:

• Rule 1- Lead by Example
• Rule 2- Find the Strengths in your People
• Rule 3- Support Your People
• Rule 4 – Be Patient

In this Firefighter Training Episode, David interview’s author and Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso about his book Step Up Your Teamwork.

Item’s discussed:

• Why did he write step up your teamwork ?
• Who can this book help?
• What are the team building stages and how do they relate to the stages of fire?
• The "What about me?" mindset and how it is destructive to teams.
• How the Best ideas have to win for teams to be great.
• The 6 rungs of listening

Chief Bobby Halton, Capt Angela Hughes and David J Soler discuss 2-3 successful traits of leaders as well as successful habits. They also discuss this years FDIC 2015 and iWomen Conference 2015.

• What you can look forward to in this year’s FDIC 2015 Conference and the 2015 iWomen Conference
• Things up and coming leaders should be focusing on this year.
• Developing and cultivating the right habits.
• Qualities of a successful leader.
• The value of real world experience
• Being a cheerleader for the fire service and others

Firefighter Training Episode 055 of the FirefighterToolbox podcast is about the relationship between a fire department and its community.Capt. Greg May shares how the Fort Lauderdale City Fire Department had earned the support and admiration of its community by going above and beyond just doing their job.Greg May Discusses1. How good community relations can impact your fire department.2. 4 Ws of building great community relations.3. Simple strategies in building great community relations.4. How to combat bad publicity.5. Some ideas on how your department can engage with the community.