The Firehouse Podcast

Peter Matthews talks with recently promoted Nashville Fire Department Assistant Chief/Chief of Training Moses Jefferies IV about his new role in training and the evolution of training in a young department and growing city, plus his “TIC for leadership” mindset.

As the city of Nashville grows, building construction, operating guidelines and training practices have been evolved to keep up with myriad fire service challenges and he shares how the department keeps members trained for the next call, plus some early goals for growth at the academy.

Jefferies shares the background of his leadership development program, “The TIC for Leadership,” with TIC meaning: transparency, integrity and consistency with a focus on communication and character as a leader.

They also talk about his commitment to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including the emerging leaders program, as an instructor of leadership and safety programs and as a champion for the NFFF’s programs at the state and local level.

Resources:

Moses Jefferies IV on LinkedIn

Nashville Christmas Day Explosion with Fire Chief William Swann

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – Everyone Goes Home

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by AJ Kehl, who currently serves as fire chief of the Misawa Air Base in Japan. Kehl, a Master Seargent, is an author and speaker who has worked in 75 countries.

Kehl, talks about how military-trained firefighters manage their duties as both military soldiers and firefighters and how they manage training and duties for both roles. He also highlights skills and actions that the fire service has learned from the military, and attributes the military has picked up from the fire service over the years.

They talk about his instrumental role in connecting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation with the Department of Defense to death benefits to fallen members, but also an offering of firefighter safety, training, and leadership programs and how they introduce those programs around the world.

As a veteran of the military who wanted to pursue education and seek promotional opportunities, Kehl talks about this book, “My Rich Uncle: An Informal Guide to Maximizing Your Enlistment.” He wrote the book to help members find the myriad benefits that they are eligible for. He also shares tips and advice for joining the military to find a career in the fire service, including obtaining needed training requirements.

Resources:

• My Rich Uncle: An Informal Guide to Maximizing Your Enlistment – link https://www.amazon.com/My-Rich-Uncle-Maximizing-Enlistment/dp/161121467X

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews sits down with Marc Aloan, who was recently promoted to battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department. Aloan, a champion of firefighting culture and tradition, talks about the transition from company officer to chief and shares what he has learned over the last couple months.

The two talk about Aloan journey from the volunteer fire service and military to joining the career fire service and how experience and education prepared him for his current role.

Finishing up the show, Aloan shares advice for firefighters looking for firefighting jobs in in the Southeast and how it varies from the Northeast where he is from.

Resources:

• The Fire Inside

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews brings on Capt. Jake Henderson from the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department, who is currently assigned to Quint 24 on the city's east side. Henderson, a second-generation firefighter, runs coffee_with_the_captain, an Instagram account where he shares thought-provoking shares passages from books aimed to inspire firefighters, officers, chiefs and also in your off-duty life.

On this show, Henderson shares his perspectives from the works of both popular and lesser known authors, adding his personal insights on how it applies to the fire service, or personal growth. 

Henderson shares his choices for each rank, and offers suggestions for books outside the fire service, plus tips for how to engage and retain the words read via audio books.

Resources:

• coffee_with_the_captain on Instagram

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Pearland, TX, Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Johnson about mentoring in the fire service. Johnson has been blazing the path to re-introduce mentoring to all ranks within the fire service and he shares his views on the best way to mentor, and how mentees can seek trusted coaches. 

Whether you are a veteran firefighter or officer, or a new relatively new member, Johnson shares practical advice on how to share wisdom and knowledge, coupled with constructive insight to better prepare the future of your department. 

The two discuss ideas for each rank to be successful, and what mentoring truly is in the fire service, plus a look at some of Chief Johnson's favorite books.

Resources:

• Being a New Officer: More than Passing a Test

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by Edward Tracey, the captain of Rescue 11 at the Rochester, NY, Fire Department. Tracey, with 30 years in the fire service, has written for Firehouse and spoken at their events on topics including firefighter training.

On this podcast, Tracey goes in-depth on this two recent articles about micro-learning and tips for enhancing company-level drills. 

The two discuss each rank of the fire service's role in education, how to create realistic technical rescue training and expands on Tracey's study of how firefighters learn best.

Resources:

• Short Drills: Microlearning Principles Improve Training Sessions

Peter Matthews talks with Dr. Rich Gasaway about what firefighters need to know about situational awareness in 2021. Gasaway, who retired at rank of fire chief after a 30-year career in the fire service, has studied situational awareness impacting firefighting operations that resulted in near-miss, injury and firefighter fatality incidents. The two discuss what firefighters working on today's fireground need to know and how they can avoid becoming a statistic.

Peter Matthews talks with John Lewis and Robert Moran about training, tactics and leadership in today's fire service. Known as The Jersey Guys, Lewis, a retired lieutenant from Passaic, NJ, and Moran, currently fire chief in Brewster, MA, explain how firefighter training tactics has evolved since they began teaching. Having served in volunteer and career fire departments, the two discuss effective training, plus share tips share leadership tips for officers and chiefs. Find out more about their Firehouse Expo 2021 HOT and classroom session. 

Peter Matthews talks with retired Fire Chief Charles Werner about how fire departments and other public safety agencies are deploying drones for countless operations. 

Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Demond Simmons about his article, "Smart Training and Firefighting." Simmons explains the basis for the article and concept, which explains the roles of "smart" and "aggressive" in educating firefighters. Also, a discussion on the role of company officers in encouraging their firefighters to  work smarter on the fireground.