Leadership @ the Kitchen Table

Division Chief Mark Sawdon of King County Medic One shares a personal story regarding sleep, mental health and emotional trauma as it relates to the job and the importance of self-awareness and recognition of self-change. He talks about listening to our peers, spouses and family members regarding behavioral and emotional changes that are happening to us. Mark suggests creating relationships with people who can hold you accountable regarding your mental health.

Police Lieutenant (ret.) Eric Rosoff, founded the Career Survival Group and has been helping save careers since 2006. His team has coined the term, "You can lose your life on the fire ground, but you can lose your career in the fire house." Eric emphasizes the importance of understanding your department’s code of conduct, administrative and the in-the-station expectations just as you would the operational ones. Administrative safety violations are the root of most firefighter personnel actions, terminations, and workplace lawsuits. These are all stressful and costly events that impact morale and public trust. Additionally, administrative safety violations frequently derail the agency’s efforts at recruitment and inclusion. "Do your administrative pushups!"

Fire Chief (ret.) Rick Lasky of Lewisville, Texas Fire Department, author of best selling books "Pride & Ownership" and "5 Alarm Leadership," emphasizes that leaders must always strive to be better, continuously hone their craft, keep learning, keep training, pick the greatest firefighters and officers to emulate and never forget that it is all about your people! Passion drives success, ego and power kill positions, and negativity kills the greatest of organizations. In Chief Lasky's words, if you don't have integrity you suck! Firefighter's must have the love for the job, otherwise go work somewhere else.

Deputy Chief (ret.) Frank Viscuso of Kearny, Fire Dept., New Jersey, author of Amazon Best Sellers "Step up and Lead," and "Step up your Teamwork," emphasizes that anything is possible, nothing is out of reach, and that you don't need anyone's permission to make your dreams happen. Leaders will not reach their potential unless you get uncomfortable and fail along the way. Leaders must have difficult conversations to ignite the fire in others. Chief Viscuso unpacks the 4 step process in developing your ability to lead, the 6 reasons why people work, and the 8 steps to building strong teams. "A leader of one can become a leader of many, but if you can't lead one, you'll never lead any!"

Captain Jon Goins w/ Seattle Fire Dept. encourages all firefighters to get involved early and staying involved to learn and to grow. Leaders must work toward being someone worthy of being followed and looked up to, and always remember why we are here. Leaders must be competent, consistent and fair, and it's a leaders job to teach and to mentor.

Fire Chief (ret.) Jeff Clark of Eastside Fire & Rescue talks about being present and engaged early and often throughout your entire career. He suggests entering in dialogue and always ask questions. Chief Clark talks about how leaders must be willing to listen, admit when they are wrong, and be humble enough to change their opinion or decision on the fly if needed. He adds that leaders from all ranks must strive and do the requisite work in getting to yes by being able to put yourself in others shoes, assume others positions and thought processes and learning a new perspective for a unified commitment. "Go to the Balcony!"

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kira Mauseth unpacks many of the behavioral issues with first responders. She talks about what peer support teams could do, the importance of setting boundaries and knowing when a peer supporter should be looking to listen vs looking to fix. Dr. Mauseth asks everyone the rhetorical question: How much time and hours are you spending in restorative care and recovery vs. escaping and avoiding your problems. She emphasizes that leaders of all ranks must walk the talk when talking and prioritizing behavioral and mental health of first responders.

Battalion Chief Brett Loomis w/ Corvalis Fire Department and Trainfirefighters.com, talks 50,000 shades of leadership. He talks about putting yourself out there and making mistakes as they ultimately help you grow. Chief Loomis emphasizes the importance of being of significance to others over being successful of self.

Retired Captain Dan Willis from La Mesa Police Department in San Diego, California talks emotional survival with first responders. Captain Willis authored the book Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responders Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart,” which is a required reading at the FBI National Academy. Captain talks youth leadership in the community, as well as leading during mass change.

"Comfort is the Enemy to Growth," as quoted by Lt. Aaron Fields with Seattle Fire Dept. in his speech at FDIC 2017 upon accepting the "Instructor of the Year" Award. Aaron fields is the founder of "Nozzle Forward," and he unpacks how there is no such thing as informal leadership, in that all kinds of leadership is formal regardless of rank, and that organizations must have leaders at every single rank. Lt. Fields discusses leadership, mentorship and instruction, and the passion that is needed within all.