In this episode, Nate House, a 24-year firefighter, 20-year

Nate House shares his experience transitioning from law

Nate explains how he started In-House Solutions, a company focused on mentorship in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the fire service and the need for standardized

The conversation explores the importance of having trained and dedicated Field Training Officers (FTOs) in the fire service. It highlights the need for FTOs who genuinely want to mentor and support recruits rather than just going

The FTO program is seen as a way to improve recruitment and retention in the fire service by creating a positive work environment and providing support for new hires. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy and creating a culture of success within the fire service. In this conversation, Nate House discusses the importance of mentorship in the fire service and shares his experiences and insights. He emphasizes the need for reverse mentoring, where newer firefighters have something to teach the more experienced ones.

Nate also discusses his field training officer (FTO) role and its challenges and opportunities. He highlights the significance of being relevant and staying engaged in the fire service. Nate shares his pride in being published in Fire Engineering and his goal of spreading the message of mentorship to fire departments across the country.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor

01:12 Nate House's Background and Introduction

02:28 Starting in the Emergency Services

04:16 Transitioning to Law Enforcement

08:04 The Field Training Officer (FTO) Model

12:34 The Role of a Field Training Officer

19:11 FTO Training and Individual Agency Standards

25:08 Becoming a K9 Handler

27:29 Memorable K9 Handler Story

27:57 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to the Fire Service

32:31 Implementing Change in the Fire Service

38:44 The Importance of Mentorship in the Fire Service

50:31 In-House Solutions: Focusing on Mentorship

56:42 Differentiating Between Leadership and Mentorship

01:00:23 The Role of Entry-Level Mentorship in the Fire

01:01:33 The Importance of Trained and Dedicated FTOs

01:03:36 Mentorship Programs for Company Officers

01:06:36 Creating a Positive Work Environment

01:10:33 Understanding the Power of Mentorship

01:19:36 Challenging the Fire Service Culture

01:27:19 Implementing Change for Safety and Efficiency

01:33:58 Creating a Culture of Yes

01:37:10 The Role of Champions in the Fire Service

01:38:03 The Value of Reverse Mentoring

01:45:47 The Role of a Field Training Officer (FTO)

01:56:01 The Importance of Relevancy

02:01:39 Spreading the Message of Mentorship

In this conversation, Matt Tobia, the current Fire Chief of

Michael and Matt discuss their early days in the fire service and the impact of mentorship on their careers. They also talk about the National Fire Academy and the value of networking and camaraderie. Matt shares the biggest lesson he learned from the EFO program, which is that there is no honor in fighting a fire that could have been prevented. The conversation in this part covers topics such as the importance of taking care of oneself as a leader, the impact of transitional attack in firefighting, the key takeaways from the EFO program, the thrill of helping people, the challenges of fire prevention laws, and the role of family escorts in supporting the families of fallen firefighters.

The conversation covers various topics related to mental health and leadership in the fire service. The hosts discuss the importance of reaching out for help and supporting one another. They also talk about the work being done in national committees to address mental health issues in the fire service. The conversation concludes by discussing the responsibilities and challenges of being a Fire Chief.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:26

Introducing Matt Tobia

06:24

Overview of NACOSH and the 1910-156 Standard

10:09

Matt Tobia's Role in NACOSH

19:38

Matt Tobia's Journey in the Fire Service

25:57

Transition to the Combination Fire Service

33:04

Pros and Cons of the Combination Fire Service

37:18

Volunteers and Paramedics in Anne Arundel County

39:21

The Beauty of Anne Arundel County's Coastline

41:13

The Value of Mentorship in the Fire Service

46:15

Learning to Be Water

52:14

The National Fire Academy and Networking

59:18

The EFO Program and the Importance of Fire Prevention

01:04:10

No Honor in Fighting Preventable Fires

01:15:25

Self-Care and Leadership

01:18:19

The Thrill of Helping People

01:22:35

The Role of Family Escorts

01:58:33

The Power of Leaving a Lasting Impression

02:02:48

National Committees Addressing Mental Health in the Fire

02:05:44

The Responsibilities and Challenges of Being a Fire Chief

In this episode of the Mentors on Fire podcast, host Michael Allora interviews Steven Conn, a Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Fairfield, Ohio. They discuss Steven's journey from being a volunteer firefighter to becoming a critical care registered nurse and, eventually, a full-time

Steven Conn discusses his experience developing a fire

The conversation explores the aftermath of a traumatic

In this final part of the conversation, Steven Conn and

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:13

Focus on Firefighter Mental Health and Suicide Epidemic

05:12

Volunteer Firefighting and Paramedic Training

08:57

Transition to Nursing and Meeting Steven's Wife

15:01

Settling in Coleraine Township Fire Department

23:48

History of the Cincinnati Fire Department

27:28

Steven's Career in Coleraine Township Fire Department

35:12

Training and Organizational Culture in the Fire Service

36:57

Navigating Organizational Culture

38:40

The Importance of Relaxation Time

43:19

Overcoming Micromanagement

48:19

Promoting Recognition and Positivity

55:17

The Impact of Personal Experiences

01:15:00

The Impact of Trauma and Lack of Support

01:23:13

Moral Injury and Mental Health Struggles

01:30:01

The Importance of Checking In and Providing Support

01:46:29

Addressing Traumatic Incidents and Promoting Mental Health

01:52:41

The Heavy Burden of Being a Mentor

01:55:58

The Impact of Mental Health Challenges

02:28:08

Follow Your Heart and Help Others

Joe Coffey discusses his background in corrections and the challenges and dangers of working in a prison

He shares his perspective on private prisons and the

He shares stories about the challenges of working in a

In this final part of the conversation, Joe Coffey discusses

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

03:02

Rhode Island and Roger Williams University

06:18

Family Life and Upbringing

10:34

Transitioning from High School to Army and Reserves

14:12

Transitioning from Army to College

23:38

Private Prisons vs. Public Prisons

28:11

Meeting Good People in a Bad Situation

39:08

Transitioning from Corrections to Law Enforcement

52:29

Career Progression in the Police Department

01:03:38

The Impact of the Station Nightclub Fire

01:08:47

Focus on Mental Health and Training

01:19:02

The Role of Peer Recovery in Mental Health

01:21:17

Transitioning to the Mental Health Field

01:26:22

Creating Realistic Training Scenarios

01:28:16

The Challenges of Mental Health Calls

01:31:36

Dealing with Extreme Situations

01:36:25

Finding Joy and Fulfillment in Hobbies and Activities

01:39:38

Appreciating Antiques and Woodworking

01:42:34

The Value of Volunteering and Giving Back

01:46:11

Reflecting on Past Challenges and Experiences

01:50:28

Building Resilience and Personal Growth

01:54:55

Nurturing Positive Relationships for a Balanced Life

In this episode, Michael Allora interviews Joseph Verderosa, his best friend and mentor. Joseph shares his journey from joining the Navy in 1974 to his career in the Clifton Fire Department. He discusses his motivation for joining the Navy, his experiences in the military, and the highlights of his active service. Joseph also talks about his transition to the Clifton Fire Department and his challenges during his training.

The conversation touches on topics such as the Navy Reserves, the fire department's role in Clifton, and Joseph's involvement in Naval Special Warfare Unit 2. Joseph Verderosa discusses his experiences during his deployment and his role as a

Overall, Joseph emphasizes the importance of leadership, taking care of your people, and doing the right thing. This part of the conversation focuses on the impact of mentorship and the importance of seizing opportunities. It also covers the experience of studying for promotions together and the success of their study group. The conversation then shifts to Joseph's role as a training officer and the positive changes he implemented in the fire department. They discuss the firefighter survival program and the training they conducted.

The conversation concludes with their reflections on the events of 9/11 and the personal

He ultimately decided to retire due to the job's toll on him. In this final part of the conversation, Michael and Joseph reflect on their experiences in the fire department and their impact on each other's lives. They discuss the importance of accountability and

Joseph also shares his decision to return as an administrative analyst after retiring and his challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They express

Larry Borodkin, Vice President at PRADCO, discusses their

In this part of the conversation, Larry Borodkin discusses

He emphasizes the need for leaders to focus on their

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

01:09

Overview of PRADCO and Their Work

09:23

Approach to Working with Departments

15:32

Importance of Comprehensive Assessments

31:14

Larry's PhD Research on Validity Generalization

37:26

Choosing to Work with Safety Forces

38:25

Training and Qualifications for Psychological Assessments

38:35

The Unique Characteristics of the Public Safety Model

40:43

Individualized Coaching for Public Safety Personnel

45:09

Motivating Individuals in Public Safety

50:51

Being a Learner vs. a Judger

01:05:24

The Importance of Listening and Relating to Subordinates

01:19:09

Focusing on the Success of Your People

01:21:07

The Shift in Leadership Mentality

01:24:11

Assessing Leadership Traits in Promotional Assessments

01:26:08

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

01:41:21

The Role of Mentorship in Public Safety Agencies

Gina DeVito-Staub shares her journey in the fire service,

Gina turned down a medical career to pursue her passion for the fire service. She emphasizes the importance of being kind to everyone and building relationships within the department. Gina also highlights the benefits of

Gina also highlights the benefits of the Explorer program in recruiting and retaining future firefighters. Gina DeVito-Staub shares her experience as a shift commander and the challenges she faced in managing different-sized departments. She emphasizes the importance of caring for the community and utilizing resources to get the job done.

Gina also discusses the impact of organizational culture on mental health and the need for open conversations and support. She highlights the valuable lessons she learned from the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program, including the realization that the department's size doesn't determine the challenges faced.

Gina also talks about her role as a part-time fire chief in

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor

11:02 Choosing the Fire Service over a Medical Career

35:48 The Value of Networking and Managing People

46:34 The Impact of Company Officers

59:30 The Benefits of the Explorer Program

01:35:04 Navigating Challenges as a Shift Commander

Lisa Miller, the law director for the City of Barberton,

Lisa shares her journey to becoming a lawyer, starting with

Lisa talks about her time as the president of the Akron Bar Association and the various services provided by the association. The conversation touched on the graying and shrinking of the legal profession in rural areas and the need to encourage young lawyers to serve in those areas.

In this episode, the guest, Fire Chief Gary Ryan, shares his experience at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and the friendships he formed during his time there. He discusses the challenges and

Chief Ryan also shares his path to the fire service and his education and training journey. Chief Ryan shares valuable insights and experiences from his career as a fire chief.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

01:07

Guest Introduction

04:16

Forming Friendships at EFO

04:46

Favorite Year at EFO

06:37

Formation of Friendships at EFO

07:18

Maintaining Connections with EFO Classmates

08:17

Importance of Networking and Relationships

12:14

Impact of EFO Graduates on Chelmsford Fire Department

13:18

Transition to Fire Chief Role

15:11

Chelmsford Fire Department Overview

24:15

Challenges and Lessons Learned in Fire Service

27:43

Composition of Fire Study Committee

28:07

Reasons for Fire Study Committee Formation

31:06

Staffing and Compliance with Two-In, Two-Out

32:37

Opportunity for Reshaping the Department

33:11

Data-Driven Decision Making

34:07

Response Times and Call Analysis

36:14

Impact of Aging Population on Calls

38:27

Collaboration with Other Agencies

39:26

Transition to Electric Vehicles

46:24

Questions about Electric Vehicles

49:32

Path to the Fire Service

55:17

Joining the Fire Department

57:46

Education and Training

01:04:13

Challenges of Fighting Fires in Cold Weather

01:05:27

Firefighting in Buildings with Basements

01:06:47

Transition to Fire Prevention

01:07:15

Becoming Deputy Chief and Fire Prevention Officer

01:13:30

Interacting with Other Agencies in Fire Prevention

01:20:21

Importance of Code Enforcement Records

01:21:30

The Value of an MBA in the Fire Service

01:34:42

Formal and Informal Mentoring in the Department

01:38:09

The Impact of Mentorship on Decision-Making

01:43:10

The Importance of Mentors

01:44:19

The Value of Learning and Availing Opportunities

01:45:21

Putting Pride Aside and Learning on the Job

01:48:13

The Lesson of Patience and Persistence

01:50:44

The Advice to Learn Your Job and Know Your Community

01:52:27

Attacking the Issue, Not the Person

01:54:05

Lessons Learned from Navigating Through COVID-19

01:57:44

Reflecting on a Do-Over Moment

02:00:51

The Accomplishment of Navigating Through COVID-19

In this episode, Vince Morber, the chief of the Barberton

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

03:00

Choosing Law Enforcement

09:10

Early Career in Barberton

14:01

Becoming a Field Training Officer

22:06

Becoming a Sergeant

28:48

Promotion Process

30:26

Selection Process for Promotion

31:40

Becoming a Supervisor at a Young Age

33:08

Challenges of Being a Supervisor

34:06

Matching People to Their Strengths

35:07

Changing as a Leader

36:26

Working with a Trusted Colleague

39:03

Reorganizing the Department

41:33

Roles and Responsibilities in the Department

42:26

The Municipal Jail

44:01

Fraternal Order of Police and Union Representation

50:32

Lessons Learned as a Union Representative

52:48

Changing the Culture in the Fire Department

55:22

Experience on the SWAT Team

01:04:22

Importance of Hand-to-Hand Combat Training

01:06:00

Hiring a Chess Master

01:06:20

Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement

01:07:26

Difference Between Police and Fire

01:08:01

Being the Person Nobody Wants to See

01:10:04

Involvement with the Opioid Epidemic

01:12:51

Partner Agencies in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

01:14:09

Impact of Opioid Epidemic on Barberton

01:15:06

Turning Point: People-Focused Approach

01:16:17

Experience at the FBI National Academy

01:18:23

Primary Function as a Police Officer

01:20:36

Involvement with the Community

01:21:30

FBI National Academy vs. Executive Leadership College

01:22:25

Path to Becoming Chief of the Department

01:44:04

Career Progression and Leadership

01:45:01

Making Improvements and Leaving a Legacy

01:46:28

Improving Technology and Collaboration

01:47:29

The Role of a Chief and the Importance of Leadership

01:48:29

The Role of a Chief in Building Community

01:49:23

Dealing with Criticism and Managing Public Perception

01:51:03

The Importance of Upholding the Law and the Constitution

01:53:19

The Importance of Remembering the Mission

01:54:23

The Fascination with the Law and Legal Decisions

01:55:24

The Desire to Make a Difference and the Impact of Mentoring

01:56:49

Greatest Professional Accomplishment: Hiring and Training

01:58:31

Succession Planning and Passing the Torch

01:59:07

Reflecting on Mistakes and Lessons Learned

02:01:36

Future Goals: New Police Department and Data-Driven Decision

02:04:06

Promoting Health and Wellness in the Department

02:06:09

Finding Balance and Enjoying Retirement