JobTlks Podcast

A recap of some of our favorite conversations from season 2.

Why does the Fire Service take on the role of Ropes? 

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Why does the Fire Service take on the role of #HAZMAT response? Every department, regardless of size, staffing type, or equipment, has the potential to be called for a HAZMAT situation. The manufacture, transport, or use of some form of HAZMAT substance occurs in virtually every community. Not every department has the capability of having #hazmattechnicians and equipment at the ready. However, there are certain things nearly any firefighter has access to and can do when initially called for a HAZMAT incident. These are the basics of HAZMAT.

The JobTlks Crew discusses innovation in designing Ladder trucks!

In this week’s episode Johnny Jobtlks brings on Chiefs Ed and Mike Carroll to discuss the 95’ LODD of Stoughton Fireman Victor Melendy.  Near and dear to the hearts of everyone, we discuss how Victors ultimate sacrifice became a driving force for change in the entirety of the organization, and the stark contrast from where we were then, to where we are now.   In the Fire Service, it often takes a tragedy for change to come about.  In preparation for this episode and looking back through the studies from this tragedy I was able to learn about the history and lineage of the Stoughton Fire Department.

Fortunately for me and the men and women I have gotten hired with, we have benefitted tremendously from the hard work that has come before us, and I was happy to be able to really learn from, and about the past.  “You can’t really know where you are going, until you know where you have been.”  Keeping this message present in my head, we hope to encourage others to look back and see all of the “Why’s” of their departments, and take a proactive stance instead of a reactive one.

Chief Mike Carrol adds to the JobTlks book shelf with a very good recommendation of the book “Find Your Why” by Simon Sinek.  This book is not specific for Fire Fighters, but is an invaluable resource on how to restructure your own life or the culture of an organization, which is the main goal of the Jobtlks Podcast.  Chief Carrol explains his take on this book and how it has shaped his philosophy and his plans for the future of Stoughton Fire Department.

For this episode, Will and Barrey sat down with Captain Lisa Hamill do discuss the operational realities of limited and combination staffing departments. Capt Hamill starts off by talking about her journey through the ranks with MFD. She then goes on to talk about the challenges of running a limited and combination staffed department. One specific challenge we discussed is having career and call firefighters work and blend as one cohesive unit and not see each other as separate entities. We go on to discuss some of the operational challenges unique to Monson. After the interview, Capt. Hamill takes us on a station and apparatus tour showing us some of the apparatus design that helps them accomplish the mission despite limited staffing.

Filming this episode and talking with Capt. Hamill highlighted some challenges that are not unique within the fire service. It’s eye opening to listen to these challenges and the ways they overcome them.

A huge thank you to Monson FD and Capt Hamill for taking the time to share these insights with us.

Welcome back for another episode of #JobTlks. In this week’s episode, the team takes their first trip outside the studio to visit the men and women of the #Monson Fire Department. Conducting multiple interviews, a station tour, and conducting forcible entry training, the team spends the day focusing on the unique administrative and operational realities of small career, combination, and call departments. During this episode, Barrey and John conduct an interview with Chief of Department Brian Harris. Chief Harris has a fire service career spanning over 28 years, occupying every rank within the Monson from auxiliary firefighter to Chief of Department.

During the interview, the team dives into the unique factors associated with running small career and combination departments, such as managing staffing difficulties, leading and managing both full-time and part-time employees, training, and the changing landscape of the fire service in the 21st century. Chief Harris highlights not only some of the difficult realities of providing high-quality service in a rapidly changing world but the unique opportunities that local service provides members of the community.

The team further discusses Chief Harris’s leadership in forming a regional training academy, his work in obtaining grants to enhance department capability and maximize effectiveness, as well as his vision for the future of the department. The JobTlks team then closes with a personalized question of the day! Tune if for a few laughs, unique insights, and an opportunity to learn more from departments around New England.