The Professional Brotherhood™

The Power of the Assist

In this episode of the Professional Brotherhood, we discuss the often-overlooked people who make our fire service organizations successful: the ones who provide the assist.

With another volunteer fire department election season approaching, we take a hard look at how we choose our leaders. Leadership should not be based on friendships, popularity, or who happens to campaign the hardest. It should be based on dedication, participation, character, qualifications, leadership ability, and a demonstrated commitment to making the organization better.

The episode also reflects on the importance of succession and knowing when it is time to step aside. After 14 years in the chief’s ranks, the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders and leaving an organization better than you found it is discussed.

At the heart of the episode is the power of the assist. Just like in sports, great accomplishments rarely happen because of one person. There are always people behind the scenes helping, mentoring, supporting, teaching, and making things happen.

The same is true in the fire service. The person standing at the podium may receive the recognition, but there are countless members behind the scenes providing the assists that allow the organization to succeed.

As we enter another election cycle, the challenge is simple: look beyond the title and the friendships. Look at who is actually contributing, who is helping others, and who is committed to moving the organization forward.

Leadership isn’t about the color of your helmet, the bugles on your collar, or the title beside your name. It’s about what you do with the opportunity you’ve been given.

And for those stepping into a new leadership role: take your time. Listen. Learn. Take baby steps into the deep end. You don’t have to change the world on your first day.

A paycheck does not make you a professional. How you approach the job does.

Stay safe out there, my friends.

Key Takeaways

• Choose leaders based on merit, not friendships.
• Look at what candidates do 12 months a year, not just during election season.
• Leadership is about service, mentorship, and helping others succeed.
• Great organizations depend on people willing to provide the assist behind the scenes.
• Good leaders prepare the next generation and know when it’s time to step aside.
• New officers should listen, learn, and take baby steps rather than trying to change everything immediately.
• The ultimate responsibility of every fire service leader is to help the organization become better at serving its community.

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