Side Alpha Leadership

If Your Size-Up Starts at Dispatch, You’re Already Losing


Listen Later

🔥 On this episode of Side Alpha Leadership, I sat down with my good friend Hank Henline to dig into what it really means to lead from the front as a fire service lieutenant. We didn’t just talk theory—we got into the real-world stuff that makes or breaks an officer on the fireground: size-ups that start before the tones drop, making the right call on water supply, whether you’re in the city or the sticks, and how understanding building construction can literally save lives. Hank and I broke down the importance of the 360, especially when you’re dealing with complex layouts like garden apartments, where one wrong assumption can get your crew jammed up fast. We also talked about the latest rescue tools hitting the street and why staying current isn’t optional—it’s survival. If you’re an officer, an aspiring leader, or just someone who wants to sharpen their edge in the fire service, this conversation is packed with lessons you can use the next time the bell hits. _________________________________________________________________________ 🚨 Key Takeaways Size-up starts before dispatch. If you’re waiting for the tones to think, you’re already behind. Know your people. Crew dynamics can make or break the operation. Water supply matters. City and rural tactics aren’t the same—adapt or fail. Building construction saves lives. Know what you’re walking into before you commit. Never skip the 360. Situational awareness starts outside. Garden apartments = hidden traps. Learn the layouts before you’re crawling them. Gear is evolving. Stay ahead with new rescue tools and techniques. Talk it out. Communication under pressure keeps the fireground from unraveling. Train like lives depend on it—because they do. Experience is earned, not given. Don’t be a dinosaur. Embrace new tools, training, and leadership styles.

HRS Follow the link to get this awesome RIT tool http://www.hastyfireproducts.com

https://linktr.ee/side_alpha_leadership 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Side Alpha LeadershipBy David Polikoff

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

8 ratings


More shows like Side Alpha Leadership

View all
The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

227,821 Listeners

Fire Engineering Podcast Network by Fire Engineering Podcast

Fire Engineering Podcast Network

153 Listeners

Jocko Podcast by Jocko DEFCOR Network

Jocko Podcast

30,781 Listeners

Multiple Calls Podcast by Firefighting Podcast

Multiple Calls Podcast

55 Listeners

Flow and Vent's Podcast by Flow and Vent

Flow and Vent's Podcast

64 Listeners

National Fire Radio Podcast Platform by National Fire Radio Podcast Channel

National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

196 Listeners

2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer by YMH Studios

2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer

23,579 Listeners

EMS 20/20 by Long Pause Media | FlightBridgeED

EMS 20/20

874 Listeners

The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast by Corley Moore

The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

489 Listeners

B Shifter by Across The Street Productions

B Shifter

51 Listeners

Tip Of The Spear Leadership Podcast by Michael Nasti

Tip Of The Spear Leadership Podcast

40 Listeners

Undisclosed Agents Firefighter Podcast by Hortons & Hunt LLC

Undisclosed Agents Firefighter Podcast

78 Listeners

The Firehouse Leadership Podcast by Joshua Chase and Jarrod Sergi

The Firehouse Leadership Podcast

11 Listeners

Student Of The Game Fire Podcast by Danny Beauvais

Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

50 Listeners

When The Smoke Clears by Whenthesmokeclears

When The Smoke Clears

32 Listeners