Why do some leaders surround themselves with people who won't challenge them? In Episode 145, we explore the insecurity that can creep into leadership positions and how fear of being outshined can hold back individuals, teams, and entire organizations. True leaders don't fear strong people around them. They develop them.

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer firefighter for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department, a deputy fire coordinator for the County of Sullivan and for the past 22 years has been a New York state fire instructor.  Soller also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a 12 year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Captain and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is a fire protection specialist with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. 

On social @st.florianfitness

No, it's not the LAST episode.  It's the LOST episode!

Originally recorded on Instagram live on November 18th, 2024; on this episode Kara and Brian discuss standards, consolidation and self reflection.  In typical social media fashion, IG cut of off at one hour, hence the sudden ending! 


Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

What type of firefighter / leader do you want to be? When it's all over, how do you want to be remembered? Let's end 2024 with an bang and set some personal goals for 2025.

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

About our hosts:

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

On todays mutual aid episode we are joined by Rock Hill brothers,  Asst. Chief Edward Walsh and Firefighter Chris Filosa of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, NY.  We will discuss a recent close call, where Chris fell through the floor upon entering a residential structure fire.  We touch on size-up, situational awareness, burn time prior to arrival, building construction, complacency and have an honest discussion about the lessons learned at this incident.


About our hosts:

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a seven year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Lt. John Clarke from the Cazenovia Fire Department. After dedicating a few years to service, John temporarily stepped back to prioritize his family. Now, we delve into his journey as he decided to resume volunteering when the timing was right. 

About our hosts:

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Captain and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

Elections, fitness choices, PPE, facial hair and alcohol.  Simply put, sometimes we are our own worst enemy! 

About our hosts:

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a seven year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

When you're listening to our show, do you find yourself taking things personally?  Do you wonder if we are talking about you?

On todays episode Brian discusses those that seem to get offended by the content that they are listened too.  Those that get pissed off and take things personally?

Well my friends, if the shoe fits!

About our hosts:

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years. 

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel. 

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show?  Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a seven year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness. 

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness