In this episode of Hazard Class, Jake dives into a compelling conversation with retired Deputy Chief Phil Jose of the Seattle Fire Department. With over 30 years of service under his belt, Chief Jose shares his journey into the fire service, his philosophy on leadership, and the lessons he's learned from training some of the best in the field.

Chief Jose, the founder of Ignition Point Training, is known nationwide for his expertise in tactical decision-making, reading smoke, and air management. From his first days as a volunteer firefighter to becoming a deputy chief, he discusses the evolution of his career and his commitment to improving training standards for officers. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, decision-making, and fostering a culture of learning in emergency services.

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Episode Breakdown:

(0:00 - 1:20) Introduction

• Jake introduces the Hazard Class Podcast and the guest, retired Deputy Chief Phil Jose.
• Overview of Chief Jose's credentials: over 30 years in the fire service, owner of Ignition Point Training, and expertise in reading smoke, air management, and tactical decision-making.
• Chief Jose expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be on the podcast.

(1:30 - 2:04) Wheel of Stupid Questions

• Jake introduces the “Wheel of Stupid Questions” segment.
• Question: “What is your late-night, I’m-feeling-fat snack?”
• Chief Jose shares his love for chocolate-covered acai berries and their healthy twist.

(2:05 - 4:25) How It All Started

• Chief Jose shares his journey into the fire service, transitioning from studying computer engineering to volunteering at a firehouse.
• Reflects on his first fire experience, which solidified his passion for firefighting.

(4:26 - 10:14) Early Years in Firefighting

• Talks about living at the firehouse as a volunteer and balancing work, school, and service.
• The challenges of getting hired in the 1980s, including navigating the hiring process without modern technology.

(10:15 - 12:45) Rising Through the Ranks

• Progression from lieutenant to deputy chief.
• Realizations about influence and responsibilities at each rank.
• Early experiences as a training officer and developing teaching skills.

(12:46 - 15:42) Becoming an Effective Instructor

• Chief Jose discusses the moral obligation of instructors to ensure student success.
• His early struggles as an instructor and the effort to continuously improve his teaching methods.

(15:43 - 19:46) Tactical Decision-Making

• Importance of decision-making skills in firefighting and how they can be trained.
• Distinction between making decisions and effectively communicating them.
• Challenges of training chief officers due to the complexity and cost of scenarios.

(19:47 - 24:37) Low-Fidelity Training and Sets/Reps

• How low-cost, low-tech training methods can achieve high cognitive fidelity.
• The importance of providing frequent practice opportunities rather than high-fidelity simulations.

(24:38 - 27:02) Staying Calm Under Pressure

• Can calmness in high-stress situations be nurtured?
• The role of practice in building confidence and overcoming emotional responses in critical moments.

(27:03 - 34:51) Building a Culture of Learning

• The significance of post-incident analysis and the value of listening to radio communications.
• How reviewing incident tapes helps improve communication and decision-making.

(34:52 - 44:54) Tailboard Debriefs and Honest Feedback

• Transitioning from a punitive culture to a learning culture.
• Using questions to foster reflection during debriefs.
• The challenge of encouraging open and honest feedback in training environments.

(44:55 - 49:23) Decision-Making in High-Stress Situations

• How firefighters make decisions under pressure and the role of experience and training.
• Recognizing that everyone makes the best decision they can with the information available at the time.

(49:24 - 57:22) Addressing Organizational Weaknesses

• Using post-incident analysis to identify patterns and make improvements.
• Balancing outlier events with day-to-day operations when addressing weaknesses.

(57:23 - 58:53) The Phil Jose Legacy

• Reflections on his impact on the Seattle Fire Department.
• Continuing to teach and improve while balancing personal passions like travel and family.

(58:54 - 1:03:07) Closing and Where to Find Chief Jose

• Chief Jose shares his website (Ignition Point Training), YouTube channel, and upcoming classes.
• Jake thanks Chief Jose for his insights and invites him back for a future episode on reading smoke.