Tailboard Talks Firefighter Podcast

Send a text

Matt Spaid is spearheading a new mental health campaign this winter.  PTSDecember is here to give you some tools to cope and some investments in your future.

Matt claims he is absolutely not an influencer but you can be the judge after we run through the similarities he has with the Liver King.

He's trying to get as many resources into as many firefighter  heads and families as possible so when we have a tough call, time, or career, we know where to turn and what to do.

Find the movement on Instagram and Facebook under the @PTSDecember banner

If you're interested in Matt's history, look him up on the early episodes of this podcast.  He has a two part saga that outlines his entire journey.

Also, what do you do with your old CD binders!?

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

It's literally one of the foundational principles of being a first responder.  Also, one of the things we are least willing or comfortable sharing, when we care.

"I don't care" is a statement that can divide, turn off, and isolate us.

"Nobody cares, work harder" is the marching song of the firefighter hardo and aside from being a flawed sentence structurally, it does very little for those who actually need it.

Let's chat about it.

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

What do you do on or after shift that makes you happy?  I share some answers from IG to that question to kick off the episode.

Then, I was on a popular firefighter website the other day and there were three stories about firefighters having heart attacks an cardiac arrest.  One while on a call, and two others of guys being found unconscious at the station.

My approach to firefighter fitness is measured depending on the context and needs of the situation.  For a lot of us, preventing a heart attack is a much more attainable and desirable goal than being combat challenge world champion.

Luckily the amount of effort it takes to stave off a heart attack is much less than you might expect.  I'm talking about some easy ways to make marginal gains so that we can stay out of the ICU.

If you like the episode, please share it with someone.

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

Last week I posted the question "The best leaders know..." and the responses are in.  I highlight two of the ones that stand out to me in this episode.

I got into a gnarly confrontation with another firefighter last week.  I went into it using the correct tactics to resolve it quickly and within minutes, those tactics had gone to the dark side.  It was the type of conversation that redefines a relationship.  Sometimes you can tell someone off and not have to worry about seeing them for a couple years.   This is not one of those instances.  So how do you re enter the relationship and come back from a blow up?  I go into my ideas on it and am luckily saved by the battery.

The October Daily DOSE has concluded and thank you for all that shared their DOSE with me or joined along.  I'll be running the DOSE again in January.

Movember has started!  You don't HAVE to grow a half assed mustache if you don't want.  The people at November have several ways for you to contribute, just head to us.movember.com for info.

Thank you for listening and watching and let's talk soon.

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

Gatekeepers are those awesome people who decide who, gets what.  Who gets an audience with the chief, who gets to be on the special team, and even who someone gets to be friends with.

But, not all gatekeepers are adversaries and in the fire service, some are absolute necessities.

I've noticed a few different kinds of fire department gatekeepers.  Some are formal, some are informal, and some are the product of a relationship gone sideways.

I share my own stories about these including the sour relationship that taught me exactly how limited our personal gatekeepers are.

If you liked the episode please share it with someone.

Thank you for checking it out and we'll talk soon.

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

Another Fire Prevention Week has come and gone.  Did you know that the Great Chicago Fire was NOT the worst thing to happen that week?  The Peshtigo fire is still known as the most destructive fire with an even higher death count than the Chicago fire.

Then I talk about the newly implemented mandatory fitness test for the Decatur Alabama Fire Department.  FireRescue1 posted a story with the details and I summarize it with some thoughts of my own about the tough decisions to expose some of your friends.

Lastly we're running through a commonly used model for decision making, and post incident review.  What? So What? Now What? is known as the critical reflection model, among other names, and can be awesome for handling conversations at the firehouse table, decisions on the street, and even debating your departments direction.

Thank you for listening and please share an episode with someone!

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

Taylor Goodman is an embedded strength coach for a large department in Northern Virginia.  She was brought on in 2020 and immediately started building and growing relationships in the fire service.

She was brought on and empowered by a captain who has set her up for success and guided her along the way.

Taylor knows the science, but knows that all the book smarts in the world are useless without relationships.

Feel free to make her the influencer she does not want to be and find her on IG at @tgoodiefitness

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

Quick topics in this episode.  

First, the Daily DOSE is going strong.  Check in on the @4thShiftFireifghter IG and use the #DailyDose and tag @4thShiftFirefighter.

Second, Women In Fire received over 1 Million dollars in FEMA grant funding for education and support projects!  The Beltane Guild is one of the named contributors to their upcoming efforts.  If that sounds familiar, it may be because Stephanie White (Episode 134) works with the Beltane Guild to provide guidance and education to fire departments about reproductive struggles, pregnancy guidebooks, and department policies.

Third, I go into some ideas and thoughts about eating with the crew, and if familiarity really does breed contempt in the fire service.

Thank you for listening and watching and visit the new 4thshiftfirefighter.com to check out more offerings, some merch, or just to support the show.

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

Jeff Marusich is a 25 year veteran of the Highland Park Fire Department in Illinois.  On July 4th of 2022 an active shooter incident occurred at the Highland Park 4th of July Parade.

Jeff was tasked with the internal examination of the department response, and lessons learned.

So often in the fire service we build our opinions from newspaper articles, after action reports, and rumors.  Today we get to talk with a member of the affected department who is able to present the information in a detailed and organized way so we can hear the stories and learn the lessons from 1 degree of separation.

Thank you Jeff, and here's to continued success in building a department of independent thinkers and informal leaders.

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

Join me in October for the 4th Shift Daily DOSE.

Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins are all the 'feel good' chemicals that are associated with exercise and general happiness.  Each morning in October I'll be doing a short bout of exercise to give myself a DOSE.

The parameters of the month are very simple; pick 5 movements you like and then each day you pick one and do between 20 and 100 of it.  That's the starting point.  Some days you might feel good and do 100 of every movement, and some days 20 bodyweight squats might feel like an impossible undertaking.

If it seems too easy, loose, or generic to be worth your time, I'd say those are the exact reasons I like it so much!  Take this skeleton of a program and make it yours to see the most value.

The time and effort commitment are both extremely low but the effects of building consistency and routine are giant.

Look for more info and graphics on the Daily DOSE on the 4th Shift Firefighter IG.

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.