The Training Officer: Setting the Tone for New Firefighters & Making the Unseen Dangers Real

 

In this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down Chris Hagan, a battalion chief from the Orion Township (MI) Fire Department, to explore the challenges of onboarding probationary firefighters and fostering a strong, professional culture from day one. Hagan shares his unique approach to setting expectations early, emphasizing ownership, engagement, and making small but critical duties meaningful. The conversation explores creative ways to teach mundane (but vital!) topics like firefighter decontamination, cancer prevention, and the hidden hazards of modern fires. They also discuss the complicated landscape of social media use for firefighters, balancing free speech with departmental discipline. Finally, Hagan gets into the importance of training beyond tactics, including report writing, presentation skills, and leadership development.