Tailboard Talks Firefighter Podcast

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Is there anything more 'firefighter' than missing the most recent episode of a show because you worked on the wrong day?

A listener issue was submitted and it asks about what to do when "more senior" members of the department refuse to rotate onto the ambulance.  Curt and I have opinions on those people and how to handle the situation.

Also I sent a horribly awkward video to Curt showing an "alpha dad" berating his kids into working out.  Turns out he's a former firefighter and now angles to make dads more alpha.  We have some thoughts.

Thank you and please check out my affiliates listed below, Rescue 1 CBD and Fourth Frontier.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Well, trying to.  But sometimes we just can't help ourselves.  Fear not, Curt and I are here to help...probably.

I asked for some listener stories, conflicts, and tales and we got them.  Curt and I go over a situation that a firefighter had with his Lieutenant after a mistake was made.

Before that we're giving some opinions on episode 2 of True Detective and answering the most important question to date; is Avenged Sevenfold old enough to be cool yet?

Thank you for listening and send your stories, situations, and questions to the 4th Shift Firefighter IG page or email at [email protected]

Please visit my friends at Rescue 1 CBD and Fourth Frontier for some awesome products. 

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Testing, Interviewing, Academy, and Probation are the steps to get in the door at a fire department.  Curt and I hit on these topics and offer some stories and lessons we've learned along the way.

The more things change, the more they stay the same and becoming a firefighter is a great example of that. Sure, tests may be administered remotely instead of sitting in a gym with 500 other applicants.  But, the lessons and tools needed to be a professional firefighter are rooted in hard work, service, and learning.

As a bonus, the next batch of episodes will have some True Detective talk since the fourth season just kicked off.  No real spoilers in this one but more to come.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Accountability to the organization can be drastically different than accountability towards your personal goals.

In this episode I'm breaking down the two and although they are different, they share the common principles of clarity, freedom, and security and how they fit in the fire service or any leadership position.

Along with that, building a diverse set of "bumpers" is a hugely valuable asset in your career.  I go over some instances where I needed my own personal city council to make some decisions on personnel matters and approaching issues in general.

Please visit my friends at Fourth Frontier and Rescue 1 CBD to support the show, their companies, and maybe even yourself.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Welcome to 2024 and let's get it going!

This is not your typical new years resolution episode.  The arbitrary date of Jan 1 is just not the time for me to be setting goals and making behavior changes.

Lucky for firefighters, we can use any meaningful time to start.  These things called Temporal Landmarks are perfect for us to use.  Combined with the "fresh start effect" our chances of setting goals and actually sticking to them is greatly improved.

If you need help finding a goal, look to your pain points.  Discomfort is a fantastic motivator for change and to drive urgency.  Then pick a small batch of quality individuals for your accountability.

Thank you and please visit my affiliates!

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

I'm leaving some things behind in 2023.

I've given too much weight to the opinions and advice from gatekeepers and people who like to project their insecurities and fears on other people.

I'm running towards people, groups, and projects that are looking to drive forward and make improvements in firefighters, people, parents, and life.

Finally, a short lesson learned while watching The Grinch with my 2 and 4 year old and the realization that the guy with the heart two sizes too small was a firefighter.

Thank you for listening, helping, and going on this journey with me and let's push forward in 2024.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Old Scrooge had to learn from the past, present, and future and once a year we can take a look at it too.

Try hating someone less, do something in the present, and think past the problem.

These are the main points of making it through the holiday season, and your career.

I truly hope the best for you and yours this season and as we look to the new year.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Curt is back and has a 4 month old baby!

We were supposed to talk about firefighter Christmas gifts, and we did, but only after 25 minutes of stories of onesie struggles, heart valve wrecking screams, and poop.

Then we do get to some of our best and worst crew gifts.

Dunkin', if you're listening, I am serious about the show sponsor thing.  The 4th Shift can absolutely run on Dunkin'.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

If you've been in the fire service for longer than a cup of coffee you've heard some form of this question.  My approach on the answers has been formed over 20 years of gross stuff.

Remember these couple of things; They have no idea what they're asking, and they have no concept of what the worst thing you've seen actually is.

When people ask this question they're looking for entertainment, so give it to them.

Give them something they can relate to, the things that are universally the worst.  Pee, poop, bed bugs, GI bleeds, and hoarder bathrooms.

Our 'middle shelf' worst is 'top shelf terrible' for a vast majority of the population.  Give them the middle shelf and move on!  If that's not enough then you probably don't want to be talking to the person in the first place.

Bonus, I give you a couple stories to make your own and drop on an unsuspecting party-goer.  Enjoy.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, I ate two pies in the firehouse kitchen.

If you have fear and shame about counter surfing this season, this is the episode for you.

We're all eating the pie, so do the damage and move on.  I give a couple ways to conceptualize the holidays and set the plan for January.

I'm all about the realistic approach to these things and this is no exception.

Thanks for hanging out and save me a piece.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.