We’re joined by Whitney for a powerful conversation on leadership that resonates across all ages and experience levels. From developing confidence as a young leader to refining your approach over time, this episode delivers practical advice that applies far beyond EMS. The lessons shared are adaptable, relatable, and relevant to anyone looking to lead more effectively.

Lead Boldly Website

https://www.leadboldlylearning.com

Lead Boldly Manager Experience Class

https://www.leadboldlylearning.com/services-1

BooksExtreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

https://a.co/d/bLlWzr3

Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity https://a.co/d/bOytVrd

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

https://a.co/d/guhopzh

A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Workhttps://a.co/d/arwS3J1

When They Win, You Win: Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think

https://www.amazon.com/When-They-Win-You-Manager/dp/B09GDGCZ4Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KQVV47TLTXFD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OkoXhEg2t3WO4t_EHjjwoIjD2Ab2A7-TfVvfP5TqurfAfHoKXwZ_HiHdpkP7iX-LfndfTAtndQy-bMnzqFnLhgV4Yg_BDurcYRufzlVoL4uhy5lGQiMlDAdYR0t88f5KNZ4rtbd5b_VYv7SLyjNN4IqtD2aifD12Q6-svnawCAvkdXSwDfHVonjKnI4m7MpPhU-_4IlAhQbKVD1UHOIM_uUulY6dHRVJ0K9TFoJwUNI.3ghA1iPJaMSNpJfgRYjppoZu9MhN_AyMOOBHWygTPZc&dib_tag=se&keywords=win+they+win+you+win+book&qid=1769086642&sprefix=win+they+win+you+win+book%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-1

We recorded this episode at the Fort Wayne Fire Museum and sat down with Dennis Giere to talk through where EMS came from, how it gained momentum, and why understanding its beginnings still matters today. This episode looks at the foundation of the service so many of us are proud to be part of and why its history continues to influence how we serve our communities now.

Report from Engine Co. 82 by Dennis Smith

https://a.co/d/daeQZQ2

American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard

https://a.co/d/1j0WVhy

Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders | America's First EMT Servicehttps://youtu.be/1pGFo0OmfwY?si=MuqUQNaxNI8G8Duk

Man Alive: The Bronx Is Burning (Complete) FDNY 1972

https://youtu.be/ygF3NJvy3bY?si=NYA6AApyU2VDCEe-

On this episode of the 260, we sit down with Zak, a strategic business planning manager with the Red Cross, to dig into the spirit behind the annual Battle of the Badges. It’s the friendly competition where fire, police, and EMS each rally their supporters to donate blood and earn bragging rights. We explore why the event is fun, what makes blood donation meaningful, and what a donation experiences from the moment it leaves your arm to the moment it reaches someone who needs it. Plus, we talk about how the tradition took shape and why people look forward to it each year. Join us for a mix of heart, humor, and healthy rivalry

In this episode, Kaitlin and Taylor sit down with Dan Basting and Adam Jackson to unpack what it really means to be a “cookbook medic.” Together, they explore how strict protocol reliance can limit critical thinking—and how digging into the why behind the medicine helps elevate care, confidence, and clinical judgment. This conversation challenges you to move past memorization and embrace true understanding in every call.

we sit down with Brad Garton to unpack one of the most intense calls of his career. A scene that required a rare and life-saving field amputation. Brad walks us through the events leading up to that critical moment, the challenges faced on scene, and the unconventional methods used to get the patient out safely. He also opens up about what comes after a decision like that—the emotional weight, the debrief, and how moments like these shape who we are in emergency services.

In honor of Halloween, The 260 is bringing you 11 spooky (and sometimes hilarious) stories straight from the field. From haunted houses and mysterious cars tailing the ambulance to good old-fashioned station pranks, this episode is all about light-hearted fun with a Halloween twist. Stick around until the end — our last story is absolutely phenomenal.

In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Tim Skiver, HazMat Team Lead for Fort Wayne Fire, to pull back the curtain on one of the department’s most specialized units. Tim shares the ins and outs of HazMat response—from the dynamics of the team and the process of joining, to the unique challenges they face on scene. They tackle common misconceptions about HazMat work and highlight what it really takes to be part of a high-performing team.

In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Dr. Scott and guest Bryan Heckman for a deep dive into one of the most critical conditions we face in EMS: sepsis. From breaking down the difference between SIRS and sepsis, to recognizing high-risk patients, to treatment strategies and what’s really happening inside the body, this conversation brings clarity to a complex and often misunderstood topic.

Below the Surface takes you inside the world of the Fort Wayne Fire Department’s elite Dive Team. Hosted by Kaitlin Carper and Dive Team Lead Brad Garton, explores the skills, training, and stories that define underwater rescue work — from how firefighters join the team to the life-saving missions that push divers to their limits.

In this episode, Kaitlin Carper sits down with  Ryan McCurdy, lead of the Fort Wayne Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team. Ryan shares what it takes to join the team, the certifications required, and the wide range of disciplines they cover—from trench and grain bin rescues to high- and low-angle operations. He also dives offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most challenging and rewarding specialties in the fire service.