Dr. David Griffin reflects on his 21-year career with the Charleston, SC, Fire Department before as he entered retirement. Griffin talks about the profound impact on his career when he lost nine colleagues at the Sofa Super Store Fire and endured the loss of firefighters from suicide and health-related issues, with a look at leadership and fire service culture.

Griffin shares the short- and long-term impacts from his response as the first-due engine driver to the Sofa Super Store Fire and what has changed in Charleston Fire Department over the nearly two decades since the tragedy.

During the latter half of his career, Griffin focused on mental health and resiliency at a time where the fire service is encountering turnover while supporting the needs of the members for the duration of their careers and afterwards. Griffin, who serves as Firehouse’s Leadership Lessons columnist, also talks about the need for strong leadership and how that makes a difference in the success of today’s fire departments.

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