JobTlks Podcast

From there, the conversation transitions into understanding ideas such as formal vs. informal leadership and authority vs. influence, along with the potential pitfalls of poor leadership practices. A few additional video examples are provided from the critically acclaimed HBO Mini-Series Band of Brothers which can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQE1YIJDNWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftnWkcLil7s

In closing, the conversation centers around the fact that the fire service needs strong, capable and adaptable leaders now more than ever, and highlights some of the actions we can take today to build the leaders of tomorrow. This wraps up Episode 11 for the JobTlks team. The team signs off with the usual: we are user-driven and hope to positively influence the conversation on culture, tactics, and all that makes the fire service “the best job you’ll ever have.”

Lastly, a special and sincere thank you to Deputy Chief Fred Ikels for his unwavering mentorship, guidance, and commitment to developing and encouraging the next generation.

JobTlks Podcast is an emerging effort to have a positive influence on #Firehouse #culture and fireground tactics. In episode 11 the JobTlks crew discusses has their first in-studio guest, Deputy Chief Fred Ikels of the Cambridge Fire Dept! #Leadership is one of the most fundamental components to the success or failure of not only effective teams but the entire organization and remains one of the most critical factors in determining success or failure on the fireground. The team starts with a brief introduction to effective leadership principles from the storied practitioner of leadership Jim Mattis. The video can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EYU3VTI3IU&t=611s

From there the team engages in an open discussion of the foundational principles of leadership such as intangible traits, what defines an effective leader, and how aspiring members can develop themselves and those around them into highly effective teams. The team’s discussion centers around answering questions such as: How can leaders maximize their team’s potential with so many different personalities, learning styles, and even generations? Is leadership a skill that can be honed and refined, or is great leaders simply “born leaders” that have the innate qualities necessary to lead?

Join us next Saturday to see part 2 of our interview with Deputy Chief Fred Ikels!

Welcome Back to another JobTlks Podcast. On this episode of JobTlks, the crew discusses generating buy-in.  To kick the show off, Will talks about an upcoming event; the #Heroescup hockey tournament. On June 10th-12th, 2022 The Heroes Cup Hockey Tournament, presented by Bfit, will take place at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Ma. This tournament is all public safety: Firefighters, police, Emergency Medical Services, Military, & Veterans. And there’s no better place to host a live episode of JobTlks. Join the crew live at 12:30 on Saturday June 11th. We will have our Very first guest, and it’s a big one. Jason Patton from #Firedepartmentchronicals and #firedeptcoffee will be joining us live on the stage at the tournament. And there’s more! We will be giving out prizes to people in the audience AND to people who join us in the live chat. So tune in at 1230 on June 11th!

https://www.youtube.com/c/FireDepartmentChronicles

https://www.youtube.com/c/FireDeptCoffee

https://www.heroscupfoundation.com/bfit-heroes-cup

On to the main content. This week Will wants to discuss generating #buyin. What is buy-in and how do you achieve it? Is it something you even want? Will shares a personal story of why buy-in is important to him. In doing some research on the topic, will came across articles that say buy-in is not what you want. Instead, they argue you want #ownership. Join the crew in a free discussion on their take of ownership Vs buy-in, what it means to them, and how and why they want to achieve it. Be sure to leave us feedback on your thoughts on the topic.  To round out this shorter episode, the fan favorite, #questionoftheday. Veering away from food topics, Will asks everyone what their most prized possessions are. Antique firearms, family heirlooms, military memorabilia, and even dogs are on the list. Listen along as they share their most prized possessions and why they mean so much to them. What about you?  Thank you, as always, for joining us and for your support. We couldn’t do this without you, our viewers and listeners. See you next week!

In episode 8 the JobTlks crew discusses all things water supply. While not the most riveting topic, it is one of the most important and is critical to determining success or failure on the fireground. The team starts with a brief intro video to highlight the incredible broad depth of operational realities (as discussed in a previous episode) that can dictate the highly individualized approach to establishing water supply. The video can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiNfICuBUrI&t=7

From there the team engages in an open discussion regarding the critical nature of water supply and discusses why rapidly establishing water supply is the single most indispensable asset to successful operations on the fireground. The team’s discussion centers around highlighting the immense variability in department approach to water supply considering factors such as staffing, civil infrastructure (water sources), apparatus design, geography, and even climate.

The team then focuses on the idea that water supply is a tactical decision with strategic implications and unpacking the various department SOPs & SOGs that inform actions, with topics such as 1st-due companies laying in, reverse lays, securing your own water supply vs second or third due, tanker shuttles, drafting and much more.

Free-flowing conversation occurs regarding these ideas and how pre-planning, teamwork, and adaptability lead to success on the fireground. The teams ends with the all-important question of the day. Who’s side will you be on?

This wraps up Episode 8 for the JobTlks team. The team signs off with the usual: we are user-driven and hope to positively influence the conversation on culture, tactics, and all that makes the fire service “the best job you’ll ever have.”

Welcome to Episode 7 of #JobTlksPodcast. #JobTlks Podcast was born by #Firefighters and is dedicated to positive firehouse culture and aggressive fireground tactics! In Episode 4 Will, Barrey, John, & Matt gather in the WillCo Media studio to talk about overhauling.  John starts us off with a quick shoutout… more appropriately a call out. Giving guys and gals in the firehouse a hard time is a long standing tradition – all in good fun. John pulls no punches here when he calls out his relief for being late this morning and in turn making him late to the studio. Johns take on the situation? Naver make plans after work. Murphy’s law always has better plans.  John leads us through a discussion on #overhaulingfires and touches on all the main points of overhaul and salvage. Including: OVERHAUL DEFINED-  An examination of the fire scene after the main body of the fire is knocked down to make determination that no fire remains and the building is safe to reoccupy.  HIDDEN FIRE ASSESSMENT- Once the bulk of the fire is knocked down, areas suspected of hidden fires, or potential extension are “over hauled”  Looking for origin/cause and making a decision about what and how much to open up based on findings.  Are there any chases, void spaces, ductwork, outlets, fixtures, or soffits that would Channel fire to other parts of the building? is this house balloon framing?  Is this a room and contents fire? Did it get into the walls? Can we Utilize a TIC? Is there any smoke being generated from anywhere? Are there any discolorations? Has there been an abatement of heat conditions? Can you hear any crackling?  As we are opening up walls and ceilings, we should have a Hoseline present to extinguish extended areas of the fire.  Dangers-   • hazardous, least desirable, dirty, hard work. • Structure is compromised • Decreased visibility • Shit everywhere • IDLH air conditions  • Complacency after exciting part of the job is over coupled with fatigue can lead to injuries  Salvage second Part of “Protecting lives and conserving peoples property” Salvage gets roped in with over haul but its really a tactic that needs to be thought out from the beginning and through out extinguishment.    Rekindles-  Every Fire officers worst nightmare.  Lack of thoroughness in overhaul can cause more damage than initial fire because walls and ceiling have been opened up, exposing more combustibles Crime scene Preservation  Building construction considerations.  • Fire resistive non combustible may require minimal over haul/using equipment on scene to remove fire load or smoldering materials • Looking at metal structures to see if they have warped or shifted • Wood frame and ordinary construction add fuel load and have many concealed spaces  • Heavy timber may resist fire very well • Building design  Victims -Searching for victims or at least being aware that it is a time victims may be discovered   John shares a video of using the punch technique with a New York Hook.  https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxcpVXyHZS94L7ggL7GZ2HQQtQekOMrk3n And finally the question of the day! John asks, what your go-to coffee order, or how you prefer your coffee. As expected, people (Will) have very strong opinions on this topic. After the guys tell their preferred coffee’s we end the show with a solid JobTlks Out.

Welcome to Episode 6 of JobTlks Podcast. JobTlks Podcast was born by Firefighters and is dedicated to positive firehouse culture and aggressive fireground tactics! In Episode 4 Will, Barrey, John, & Matt gather in the WillCo Media Studio to talk about working at their first structure fires! After the intro, Will starts off with another Fire Service Shoutout Segment. This weeks shoutout goes to the Lawrence, Ma Fire Department. On April 15th, 2022 Lawrence Fire had a fast moving, wind driven fire in a congested neighborhood. Within minutes of arriving on scene, the fire had spread to two exposure building resulting in a quick 2nd and 3rd alarm. The fire quickly spread to a total of five buildings. Four triple decker’s and a 2 story wood frame building. There were also small spot fires in the area. In total a 5th alarm was called with several special calls made above it. Great work by Lawrence fire on a tough fight! The crew then gets into the main topic of conversation: working at their first fires. Will, John, and Barrey take turns talking about going to their first fires, how the operated at them, and what it was like to finally battle the dragon! After some discussion, Will asks everyone to go around and tell the audience one lesson they took away from their first time at jobtown. After winding down the main conversation, Will introduces a new segment: Tactical tips and tricks. This is a spin from the training tips segment the crew talked about in the last episode. In this segment, the crew looks for and then shares tactical tips that help you be a more effective and efficient #firefighter while operating on the fire ground.  Finally, the part everyone has been waiting for. The question of the day… This has been a social media hot button in the last few years. Does pineapple belong on pizza?! As is tradition in the firehouse, watch and listen as they wage a passionate debate on a meaningless topic. As always, thank you for your viewership, followership, and support of us in our endeavor to have a positive influence on fire house culture and fireground tactics. In the words of John – “JobTlks out!”

JobTlks Podcast is an emerging effort to have a positive influence on Firehouse culture and fireground tactics. In episode 5 the JobTlks crew discusses the importance of failure in both personal and professional development, and why understanding failure is critical to achieving success both on and off the fire-ground. The beginning of the show starts with a light-hearted video about the importance of failure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fek6iJlm8s&t=102s

From there the team engages in an open discussion about the importance of failure to inform the path to success, and why failure is equally important and necessary in building competent, and resilient firefighters. The team’s discussion centers around the idea that “failure is something you should be good at” and how it helps forge one’s ability to overcome adversity and develop positive character traits such as the ability to take ownership of one’s failures, self-diagnose, as well as develop and implement solutions to complex problems both as an individual and a member of the team.

The team then focuses on the idea of developing and reinforcing a resilient mindset. Free-flowing conversation occurs regarding ideas such as why failure accompanied by the appropriate mindset breeds resiliency and adaptability, experience failure as a part of building effective teams, and why leaders should intentionally place their teams in the position to experience failure in training, noting that teams who manage failure efficiently maximize the ability to overcome adversity when it counts.

This wraps up Episode 5 for the JobTlks team. The team signs off with the usual: we are user-driven and hope to positively influence the conversation on culture, tactics, and all that makes the fire service “the best job you’ll ever have.”

Welcome to Episode 4 of JobTlks Podcast. JobTlks Podcast was born by Firefighters and is dedicated to positive firehouse culture and aggressive fireground tactics! In Episode 4 Will, Barrey, John, & Matt gather in the WillCo Media studio to talk about operational realities in the fire service.

Will Starts the episode with a quote out of a Firehouse Magazine article: “the fire service is an all-hazard mitigation agency but also who government agencies and citizens call on when they don’t know what to do with a situation.” -Unknown The crew briefly talks about what that quote means and how it applies to every fire department; regardless of staffing, assets, run volume, population, etc.

After a brief discussion, another Fire Service shoutout is given. This week’s shout out goes to two neighboring departments. The Boston Fire Department and the Cambridge Fire Department. Both departments had technical rescues that were noteworthy. Will was fortunate enough to have a conversation with Boston Fire District Chief Neal Mullane prior to the show. Chief Mullane gave a run down of the tech rescue for a man who fell into a void space in one of the many tunnel systems under Boston. A multi-agency effort led to rescuing the man who suffered only minor injuries. In a surprise twist Barrey was unaware of, the second shout out was in Cambridge and was a call Barrey was a part of. Barrey gives the run down of a complicated incident involving multiple people being stabbed on a construction site. Due to the location and nature of injuries a high angle rescue was necessary to get one of the victims to safety. Once again, a multi agency effort led to a successful rescue where the victim survived.

Both of these incidents were in large metro fire departments where the assets and manpower did not overwhelm resources. This is a good segment into operational realities. Where not all departments have the capabilities, resources, or training to respond to an incident like those without assistance. The free-flowing conversation touches on a lot of different consideration for operational reality. Operational realities are not only within the department structure, but are also in the building types and construction you face, water supply types, geographical features, and even the political structures of your town or city.

After winding down the main conversation, Will introduces a new segment: Training tips and tidbits. After asking for feedback on social media, Will shares some of the training tips he gets from people who follow the podcast. Drills to improve air consumption, easy solo drills, and drills to go to when motivation is lacking are some of the tips in this episode.

Finally, the part everyone has been waiting for. The question of the day… What constitutes a sanwhich?! The ingredients, the vessel, the name???? Listen as they wage a passionate debate on a meaningless topic. As is tradition! Thanks for watching. Join us next week for episode 5!

JobTlks Podcast is an emerging effort to have positive influence on Firehouse culture and fireground tactics. Episode 3 is brought to you by Scars and Stripes. Scars & Stripes is a Veteran/Fire Fighter charity dedicated to supporting those who serve or have served their country and/or community. This includes Military, Police, Fire, EMS, Corrections, and 911 Dispatchers. Their mission is to develop a community that provides connections and inspires others; specifically when it comes to dealing with the mental effects of these jobs. The standard treatment of PTSD, trauma, and stress do not work for everyone. Scars & Stripes connects people to organizations that can help them with their specific need. “So That Others May Live.” Check them out at Scarsandstripes1776.com

Getting into the episode content the JobTlks (Pronounced Job Talks) crew tackles the subject of firefighter and firefighting loadout. John starts the conversation describing a very specific toll he carry’s on the fire ground; an adze. Nicknamed the wrecking adze or the Boston Fire Adze, this tool is a wrecking machine. Listen to John talk all about it.

From there the crew discusses different items in their every day carry. From screwdrivers, wire cutters, and knives to more intricate gear like self rescue or bailout kits. Barrey even shows off his cardiac monitor when he describes his EMS loadout (please note the sarcasm). Every firefighter likes to set their gear up in a certain way and it’s interesting to discuss everyone’s opinion on what they carry and why.

After some funny, insightful, and sometimes off topic discussion, the main talk winds down in preparation for one of the audiences favorite segments… The question of the day. John takes the crew in a new direction this week by asking them to rate their top three Jim Carey movies. They may not be what you’re expecting so stay tuned!

Let us know your thoughts, comments, interests, and the answer to our question of the day in the comments! You can also find us on our social media accounts @JobTlks on Facebook and Instagram. If Social media isn’t your thing, feel free to reach out to us through our website: www.JobTlks.com or e-mail us at [email protected]

See you next week!

JobTlks Podcast is an emerging effort to have positive influence on Firehouse culture and fireground tactics. In episode 2 the JobTlks crew discusses the keys to building a successful career in the fire service as a young member. The beginning of the show starts with a video by organizational leadership coach Simon Sinek called Performance vs. Trust.

You can find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJdXjtSnZTI  

From there the team engages in open discussion about the importance of building reputation as a young member through developing a strong worth ethic, remaining positive, and seeking out senior members of the department who are passionate and truly “into the job”. This discussion centers around developing the reputation, making the right choices, and setting themselves up for a rewarding, enjoyable, and fulfilling career in fire service.

After the discussion about building and developing a successful career during the first foundational years, the team dives into the first Weekly Shoutout. The Weekly shoutout highlights incidents, members and organizations who make the fire service a great place to be, and who lead by example through action. 

Week two’s weekly shoutout goes to the Monson Fire Department and the Western Mass Technical Rescue Team who handled a complicated technical rescue in an underground culvert in an austere environment. After the weekly shoutout the JobTlks team transitions to the Size-Up Segment. During the Size-Up Segment the JobTlks team discusses a unique fire scene and describes how each member of the would approach the incident. This Scene Size-Up is special in that it is user-submitted from an incident occurring in Western, Ma. Free-flowing conversation occurs regarding tactics given members experience, and potential implications of various operational realities, and how this translates to actions on the fire ground.

This wraps up Episode Two for the JobTlks team. The team signs off with the usual: we are user driven and hope to positively influence the conversation on culture, tactics, and all that makes the fire service “the best job you’ll ever have.”