With more than 50 years of fire service experience, Ron Kanterman has worn nearly every hat — firefighter, fire marshal, Chief, author, inspector, and teacher. Currently serving as an Executive Inspector with the FDNY, Kanterman reflects on a lifetime of lessons learned through leadership, loss, and perseverance. From writing the only textbook on managing fireworks displays to publishing over 200 articles and 9 books, Kanterman shares how his relentless curiosity and “one bite at a time” mindset have driven him to keep learning and leading. In this episode, he discusses the evolution of fire safety, why the same historical mistakes continue to repeat, and how discipline, humility, and humor have guided his journey. Whether you’re a firefighter, leader, or lifelong learner, Kanterman’s story is proof that passion doesn’t retire — it only adapts.

After three decades in policing — from patrol officer to Police Chief and Deputy Mayor of Pueblo, Colorado — Chief Chris Noeller has seen the profession evolve and, along the way, evolved himself. In this episode, Chief Noeller opens up about his journey from a self-described “goon with an ego the size of the sun” to a thoughtful leader focused on grace, accountability, and growth. He shares how one tough conversation from a friend changed the trajectory of his career, why moral courage among peers can save futures, and how his experience in legislative advocacy and city leadership shapes the way he serves his officers and community today. Chief Noeller also dives into Pueblo’s innovative approach to technology, recruiting, and officer wellness — offering candid insights on what it means to lead with humility and still be, at heart, a real cop.

After 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, 4 years leading Birmingham PD, and now serving as Chief of the Lakewood Police Department in Washington, Chief Patrick Smith has seen nearly every side of policing. A former U.S. Marine, Chief Smith shares how discipline, innovation, and compassion have guided him through a career that’s spanned both coasts and multiple agencies. In this episode, he reflects on how he built Birmingham’s Real-Time Crime Center from scratch, introduced new technology in Lakewood that reduced stolen vehicles by 67%, and why leadership lessons from the Marine Corps still shape the way he leads today. Chief Smith also dives into what makes a true “A-Player” officer, the power of compassion in law enforcement, and how staying grounded in who you are—no matter your rank—defines lasting success in policing.

From the baseball diamond to the Chief’s office, Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez has spent over 30 years serving his city and leading through challenges. In this episode, Chief Gonzalez shares lessons from his career rise, the balance between being liked and being respected, and the importance of discipline, fairness, and officer wellness. He also dives into legislative battles in California, the power of building community trust before crisis, and why being comfortable in your own skin is critical as a leader.

From the Marine Corps to the Louisville Fire Department, Chief Brian O’Neill has built a career defined by discipline, transparency, and service. After two decades of rising through the ranks — including a decade as Union President — Chief O’Neill shares how his military experience shaped his leadership style, what it’s like transitioning from labor to management, and why communication and relationships matter most when working with your local. In this conversation, he dives into how Louisville is tackling apparatus challenges, the lessons learned from history that still guide leadership today, and the importance of broadening your perspective as you move up the ranks.

From reluctant rookie to national leader, Dr. Denis Onieal’s fire service journey is a story of preparation meeting opportunity. The former Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator and longtime Superintendent of the National Fire Academy shares his insights on professional development, leadership, and the evolving challenges facing today’s firefighters. In this episode, Chief Nation will hear about the five pillars of career success, the pitfalls of promotional testing, and why focusing on your “patch of ground” defines true leadership.

From touring Alcatraz at age eight to leading one of Kansas’s largest police departments, Chief Doreen Jokerst has lived a career built on service, authenticity, and community trust. In this episode, she shares her journey from police explorer to chief, her transition from Colorado to Overland Park, and how she balances family, leadership, and community expectations. Chief Jokerst discusses the importance of listening sessions, building culture within a department, adapting pursuit policies, her work with The Curve and Simon Sinek, and why being your authentic self matters most in policing and in life.

What happens when two fire chiefs—one from the Midwest and one a lifelong Californian—cross paths and form a powerful partnership? In this episode of The Chief Exchange, we sit down with Fire Chief Gerard Washington (Vista Fire Department, CA; formerly Milwaukee, WI) and Fire Chief Robert Logan (San Diego Fire-Rescue, CA). Together, they share how their journeys in the fire service intersected, the challenges of leadership and budgeting in large departments, their efforts to recruit and mentor the next generation, and why authenticity, education, and transparency are the cornerstones of effective leadership. This conversation is equal parts inspiring and practical—a must-listen for anyone leading under pressure.

Deputy Inspector Patrick Esser of the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office has spent more than 26 years in law enforcement—and he’s on a mission to change the way leaders think. In this episode, he shares how the culture has shifted from a rigid “warrior” mindset to a more empathetic “guardian” approach, why emotional intelligence is the missing tool in many officers’ careers, and how mid-career negativity nearly derailed him before humility and self-awareness brought him back. From mentoring the next generation to founding Esser Growth Principles, Esser’s message is clear: leadership starts with communication, curiosity, and knowing yourself.

Fire Chief Clint Smith never set out to be a Fire Chief—let alone the first-ever Chief of Draper City Fire Department in Utah. But when the Mayor tapped him to build a brand-new department from the ground up in just nine months, Smith took on the challenge. In this episode, he shares how he navigated overwhelming pressure “one day at a time,” the importance of building strong relationships, and why there’s no playbook for leadership—you write it as you go. He also reflects on Utah’s statewide fight for firefighter cancer screenings and offers advice to young firefighters: don’t limit yourself, because you never know what doors will open.