This episode is a lighthearted conversation with the new Fire Chief for the City of Gainesville Chief Joesph Hillhouse. We dive into his orgin story at the department and where he would like to take us. We also discuss some practical advice for the new firefighter and different ideas on how to be successful.

On this episode of Sharpen Your Axe, I was able to sit down with Driver/Operator…soon to be Lt. Joey Gonzalez. Joey has been with Gainesville Fire Rescue for 21 years, spending 20 of them on Tower 1. He has been on Florida Task Force 8 for 16 years, acting as a Rescue Specialist and Heavy Rigger. Joey is also a Chief Instructor of High-Angle Rescue and Confined Space for Wright Rescue Solutions, where he’s instructed for the past 18 years. Tapping into his tenure at the department, we were able to touch on topics ranging from how truck companies have changed over the years, the role and responsibilities of a driver, mental health, as well as some others. Enjoy!

If you have any questions or comments, or if you have a topic that you’d like to see on the podcast, you can reach us at [email protected].

Lt Jose Paredes has served with GFR for 10 years and is currently assigned to TW1, which is our technical rescue truck. He is a search and medical specialist with Florida Task Force 8, as well as a USAR instructor at the Florida State Fire College. 

Lt Colby Perryman has also served with GFR for 10+ years and is a third-generation Gainesville fireman. He is a rescue and medical specialist with Florida Task Force 8, as well as an Instructor at the Florida State Fire College. 

Both Lt Paredes and Perryman have played an integral role in the development and success of GFR’s orientation program, which we delve into some during this episode, along with other great topics! This episode was definitely a fun one. I hope you enjoy!

Chief Joe Dixon joined GFR back in March of 2021 after serving as the Fire Chief of the Goldsboro Fire Department out of North Carolina. Prior to that, Chief Dixon served with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue in Maryland for 25 years, retiring in 2018 as the Assistant Chief in charge of Operations. Chief Dixon has an extensive background in education, leadership, mentorship, and community engagement and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. I was able to sit down with him and dive into his journey throughout the fire service, as well as mentorship, leadership challenges, and so much more.

Questions? Comments? Or interested in submitting a topic? You can contact us at: [email protected]

Jason Powell has been part of Gainesville Fire Rescue for 28years and a driver operator for 17 years. Jason has contributed to setting the standard for knowledge and skill in the position of driver operator. He leads by example and is widely known throughout our department for building a positive family culture within GFR.

In part 2 of our conversation with Chief Prince, we dive into the importance of effective communication when it comes to leadership.

Chief Prince joined Gainesville Fire Rescue December 1984 rose through the ranks to become Fire Chief for Gainesville Fire Rescue between 2010 to 2014, after his tenure as fire chief for GFR he became the Fire Chief for City of Cocoa. He is an Executive Fire Officer, and Chief Fire Officer Designee. Chief Prince was a president for the Gainesville Professional Fire Fighters, Local 2157, and is now a President Emeritus.

Chief Prince joined Gainesville Fire Rescue December 1984 rose through the ranks to become Fire Chief for Gainesville Fire Rescue between 2010 to 2014, after his tenure as fire chief for GFR he became the Fire Chief for City of Cocoa. He is an Executive Fire Officer, and Chief Fire Officer Designee. Chief Prince was a president for the Gainesville Professional Fire Fighters, Local 2157, and is now a President Emeritus. 

Lieutenant Mike Tringali has been with Gainesville Fire Rescue for over 18 years.   He’s one of the B-shift Hazmat Lieutenants. He’s recently joined the department’s peer support team and developed a tutorial for individuals that were interested in riding out of class as officers. He is known as being a great Lieutenant to work for. He is protective of the department’s culture and has a reputation in creating a fun and cohesive family environment. 

Chief Don Campbell has been with Gainesville Fire Rescue for over 19 years. He is currently the senior District Chief, USAR team leader, and lead instructor for fire programs at the Florida State Fire College. Chief Campbell has been integral in the cultural revolution of our fire department, pushing us towards setting and maintaining high standards of competency and physical fitness.

Sharpen Your Axe Podcast is dedicated to sparking a discussion on leadership and professional development. Leadership is the determining factor for success; our goal with this podcast is to instill a culture of leadership at every rank and to give listeners a tool for developing their own leadership skills. On this podcast, you’ll hear from a variety of guests who will share their experiences, knowledge, and insights, to help sharpen your axe.