Leadership @ the Kitchen Table

From succession planning at a 12-station, 200-plus firefighter department to the culture shifts behind his new book Down the Pole, Up the Ladder, this conversation is a blueprint for anyone who wants to lead better before the pressure hits.Retired Fire Chief Randy Brugman built his reputation by thinking past today - replacing apparatus, funding stations, expanding ambulance revenue, and preparing the next generation long before he left Anaheim. In this episode, he breaks down the leadership moves that helped create lasting success and why so many organizations still make the same mistake: rewarding technical skill without building the communication, education, and strategic thinking that real leadership requires.

• Why succession planning has to start early, not when a promotion opens up
• How Anaheim raised certification and education standards without killing morale
• The leadership trap of lowering standards just to fill vacancies
• How to turn a strategic plan into an actual operating tool, not a binder on a shelf
• Why communication changes as you move up the ranks - and what leaders must learn to say differently to cities, boards, and communities

Bruegman also shares the simple weekly habits that compound into leadership growth: improve one behavior, reinforce one standard, and invest in one person. He and Berlin Maza also get real about accountability, the danger of silos, and why “don’t widen the plate” is such a powerful reminder for leaders at every level. This episode also introduces the

from the Leadership Crucible Foundation, featuring

on risk management and predictable preventable problems,

on the traits of successful leaders and the rise of female leadership, a panel of city and nonprofit leaders, and

on resilience and performance under pressure.

John Walters, retired FDNY Rescue One firefighter and former chief of the Port Washington Fire Department, shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, peer support, and the brotherhood that sustains the fire service. Drawing from a career spanning engine, ladder, squad, and rescue assignments, he reflects on 9/11, grief, and the catastrophic injury that changed his life.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why shared experience makes peer support so powerful
• How firefighter-led counseling helps members ask for and accept support
• What different company assignments teach about leadership, humility, and problem-solving
• Why the best firefighters remain lifelong students
• How mentorship, accountability, and doing the right thing build stronger teams

Walters also opens up about amputee recovery, the pressure to “tough it out,” and how his experience led him to support burned service members and injured firefighters. His message—“if you’re not about the team, you’re on the wrong team”—carries through this honest conversation about service, recovery, and finding renewed purpose.

For firefighters, emergency responders, and anyone who leads a team, this episode offers practical lessons on supporting others and keeping the mission alive long after the sirens stop.

Retired Battalion Chief Chuck Heitz draws on his experience with King County Medic One to discuss personal responsibility for training and professional growth. Your department can provide opportunities, but it cannot anticipate everything you need to learn. Chuck challenges us to ask: What commitment have we made to our own development, and how are we showing up for the people around us?

In this episode, three fire chiefs discuss the Succession Project—an initiative started by one battalion chief to create an environment where current and emerging leaders can prepare for future roles. They explore how the project brings leaders together several captains across the department to build relationships, share experiences, strengthen leadership skills, and learn from one another. The conversation highlights why succession planning is more than preparing people for promotion; it is about intentionally developing capable leaders who are ready to serve their organizations and communities when opportunities arise.

On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros opens with a tribute to the lives lost and the families and communities forever affected, reminding us to “Never Forget.” He explores why all problems are ultimately human problems, how to overcome “recliner snipers,” and the power of having a mentor while mentoring others. He closes by sharing how faith guides his family, life, and leadership.

Fire Chief Dave Tait of the City of Bellevue Fire Department in Washington takes us inside the world of leadership, problem-solving, and succession planning. In this episode, Chief Tait unpacks what he calls the “monkey” in problem-solving—the issues we can unintentionally take on ourselves instead of empowering others to solve them. He also shares his “identify two people” method for succession planning, a practical approach to developing future leaders and building organizational depth.

Pete Brummel, retired Deputy Chief and 35-year veteran of the fire service, for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership and the personal work required to lead others well.

Pete shares lessons from a career spent serving, leading, and developing people, with a focus on the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and self-reflection. He explores what it means for leaders to truly know themselves—their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and blind spots—and how that awareness can shape the way they show up for their teams.

We also dig into the often-misunderstood role of vulnerability in leadership. Pete explains why vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness, but can actually create credibility, strengthen relationships, and build trust. Being willing to acknowledge mistakes, admit what you don’t know, listen to others, and continually learn can make a leader more relatable, more credible, and ultimately more effective.

Drawing on 35 years in the fire service, Pete offers perspective on leadership, humility, accountability, trust, and the importance of staying connected to the people you serve.

This is a conversation about more than leadership skills—it’s about the person behind the leader, the courage to look inward, and the impact authenticity can have on a team, an organization, and a career.

Dr. Brooke Lundquist is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has dedicated her career to supporting the people who answer the call. With more than 25 years as part of a fire service family, she brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the unique challenges facing first responders and their loved ones. As the owner of First Responder Counseling and Consulting, Brooke and her team provide culturally competent therapy for firefighters, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and their families. She also serves as the on-site Mental Health Professional for Redmond Fire Department, Bellevue Fire Department, and Harborview Medical Center's Paramedic Training Program. Trained in EMDR, Gottman Couples Therapy, and certified as a First Responder Counselor, Brooke is leading the conversation on why mental health is no longer just a benefit—it's an operational necessity. Her message is clear: changing the culture of wellness in the fire service begins with leadership, trust, and making mental health a part of the job from day one.

Berlin Maza, a Captain with Eastside Fire & Rescue in Washington, shares leadership lessons shaped by the mentors, colleagues, and experiences that have influenced his career in the fire service. He points out that none of these ideas are his alone—they are the result of a lifelong commitment to learning from others.

Berlin explores the importance of remaining a student of leadership, drawing wisdom from fellow firefighters, formal education, books, podcasts, workshops, and everyday experiences. His message is simple: great leaders are never finished learning. By continuously seeking knowledge and adapting it to your own style, you can become the authentic leader you aspire to be.

Berlin is joined by three members of the fire service, offering practical insights and thoughtful perspectives on the real-world challenges today's leaders face.

David Brannan, Program Director at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, joins us for a conversation on staying in the fight—both professionally and personally. He discusses the importance of mentorship, succession planning, and developing the habit of challenging your own biases to become a better critical thinker. He explains why we should "train for the known and educate for the unknown," recognizing that leadership is full of challenges no amount of training alone can fix. It's a conversation about continuous learning, leadership, and why sometimes the best advice is also the simplest: "You gotta say yes," and "Kill your television and read books."