In The Books: An Insider’s Guide to Mentoring Fire Officers with Lee Shapir

In this episode of In the Books, veteran fire service leader Lee Shapiro shares insights from his new handbook, An Insider’s Guide to Mentoring the Fire Officer. With 40 years of front-line and command experience, including 28 years at Hartford (CT) Fire Department, Shapiro reveals why mentorship—rooted in real-life stories, critical thinking, and accountability—beats traditional leadership manuals. He discusses how aspiring officers can navigate the challenging shift in roles, develop trust through consistency, and avoid common pitfalls. Shapiro also tackles tough topics like line-of-duty deaths, succession planning, and the balance between crew loyalty and administrative demands. Drawing on decades of teaching and NFPA committee work, he emphasizes proactive learning beyond departmental limits and why involvement in standards helps protect fire service resources.