WFD Ops Talk

In this episode, Jason Hoevelmann shares insights on leadership, the importance of humility, developing company officers, and adapting to rapid changes in the fire service. Discover practical strategies for building resilient teams and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Key Topics:

The importance of humility in leadership
Developing effective company officers
The impact of emotional intelligence on team performance
Strategies for community engagement and relationship building
Adapting operational tactics to new challenges like EV vehicles and mid-rise buildings.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and guest background
01:00 - Jason Hoevelmann's journey into the fire service
03:57 - Overview of Florissant Valley Fire Protection District
07:04 - Challenges in North St. Louis County
10:08 - The significance of community engagement
15:54 - The role of the company officer
22:09 - The importance of humility in leadership
29:52 - Building trust and accountability
37:00 - Operational challenges and resourcefulness
43:58 - Developing human skills and emotional intelligence
51:46 - Fostering positive attitudes and team culture
01:00:01 - Resources, books, and ongoing learning
01:02:51 - Closing thoughts and appreciation

Resources & Links:

FDIC Keynote - Jason Hoevelmann "Adapt and Act!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpo9sHNpVGQ&t=455s

The New Company Officer by Jason Hoevelmann (Fire Engineering Books, 2018)

https://www.fire-police-ems.com/books/bn1739.shtml

No Exceptions Leadership: The Leadership Handbook by Jason Hoevelmann

https://www.amazon.com/No-Exceptions-Leadership-Handbook-ebook/dp/B01N4GT9GZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0


Scaling Leadership: Building Organizational Capability and Capacity to Create Outcomes that Matter Most by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams (Wiley, 2019)

https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Leadership-Organizational-Capability-Outcomes/dp/1119538254

The New Fire Officer Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/thenewfireofficer

JasonHoevelmann.com
https://www.jasonhoevelmann.com

Connect with Jason Hoevelmann:
Website: https://www.jasonhoevelmann.com
LinkedIn: [confirm directly with Jason]

Connect with Eric Linnenburger & Ops Talk:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WFDOpsTalk

Eric Linnenburger shares a virtual presentation delivered to a Fire Department’s officer development class, focused on leadership development during rapid organizational growth. He argues that company officers are the most influential role in a fire department because they shape safety, culture, training, retention, and public trust every day.

In this episode, Eric combines his research from NIOSH line-of-duty death reports with interviews from 10 fire service leaders across the country to show why human skills matter as much as operational competence. The big takeaway is that during times of change, the company officer is the leverage point.

Key topics
•Eric frames company officers as the most important and influential position in the fire service because they affect people directly, every day, in ways no other rank can.
•He describes his department’s rapid growth, including about 33 percent organizational expansion, roughly 40 promotions over 4 to 5 years, and more than 100 percent turnover in leadership positions.
•He reviews early research based on 38 NIOSH fire incident fatality reports from 2017 to 2025, where 37 showed some human causal factor such as risk assessment, decision-making, incident command failures, lack of experience, or situational awareness.
•He shares findings from interviews with 10 leaders from departments of different sizes and regions, including battalion chiefs, training chiefs, deputy chiefs, and fire chiefs.
•Succession planning came up as a major theme, with some departments describing strong preparation and others facing years of recovery because they were not ready for rapid leadership change.
•Leaders repeatedly emphasized human skills like emotional intelligence, humility, self-awareness, discernment, and the ability to admit mistakes as essential traits for future officers.
•Eight to nine out of 10 interviewees identified the company officer as the leverage point during rapid change and said experience is trainable when the right person is in place.
•Eric argues that company officers are also the department’s greatest recruitment and retention tool because the daily experience they create can either keep people engaged or push them toward the exit.
•He stresses that company officers are central to risk management, training, culture, and public trust, especially in an era where one misconduct incident can damage a department’s reputation for years.
•He closes by urging officers to lead down, across, and up, control what they can within their crew, speak up with courage, and treat culture change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Timestamps
00:00 - Why this is a presentation, not a normal interview
02:03 - The research behind the talk and why it matters now
05:06 - Why company officers must think beyond black and white
06:29 - The daily influence company officers have on teams and families
08:48 - Why officers are the ultimate risk managers and training officers
12:03 - Department growth is forcing major leadership turnover
15:17 - How Eric approached the research and what he excluded
16:16 - What the NIOSH fatality review showed about human causal factors
19:32 - Interviewing 10 leaders across regions and department sizes
20:29 - Succession planning as a major pain point and opportunity
21:55 - Human skills and emotional intelligence in future leaders
23:24 - Why company officers are also the retention advantage
24:22 - The company officer as the leverage point during rapid change
25:19 - Experience is trainable if the right person is in the role
26:17 - Why culture can become an opportunity during growth
28:13 - Protecting public trust and the department brand
29:29 - Misconduct cases that show how fast trust can disappear
33:31 - Why brand protection and public confidence matter
34:00 - The real influence of company officers in everyday leadership
35:44 - Company officers control culture more than most realize
36:53 - Q&A: how change becomes a culture opportunity
38:50 - Q&A: early moves to prepare people for growth
42:02 - Q&A: what Eric would tell his younger self as a captain
44:07 - Closing thanks and offer to help

In this episode of Ops Talk, Eric Linnenburger interviews Bailey Farren, founder and CEO of Perimeter, a groundbreaking platform designed to enhance coordination and information sharing during emergencies. At just 22, Bailey's innovative approach is transforming public safety responses—she shares her journey from growing up in a first responder family to building a company that bridges critical information gaps in fire and disaster response.

Main Topics:
•Bailey’s early life and how her upbringing influenced her passion for public safety
•The origins of Perimeter and the insights from her experience during the Tubbs Fire evacuation
•Challenges in introducing new technology to the fire service and public safety sectors
•Going through the startup grind: fundraising, overcoming rejection, and perseverance
•The importance of trust, relationship-building, and patience when working with government agencies
•How technology can shift emergency response from reactive to proactive
•Advice for women and young entrepreneurs breaking into traditional, male-dominated fields
•Real-world applications of Perimeter during fires and disasters
•Strategies to increase public awareness and opt-in rates for safety alerts
•Lessons learned from Silicon Valley's culture versus public safety requirements

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome and episode overview: Revolutionizing emergency response
02:04 - Growing up in a first responder family: The foundation for Bailey’s mission
03:12 - The birth of Perimeter: From research to real-world application
04:30 - Firsthand experiences during the Tubbs Fire evacuation
06:27 - The challenges of technology adoption in fire services
08:25 - The entrepreneurial grind: Funding, rejection, and persistence
10:05 - Mentorship and recognizing one’s potential in leadership
12:05 - Lessons from early sales: Door-to-door cookie selling to fire departments
13:22 - Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence as a young founder
15:08 - Building trust with public safety agencies: Essential for long-term success
20:24 - Navigating the venture capital landscape with a mission-driven approach
23:26 - The importance of framing solutions to meet economic drivers
28:30 - How Perimeter enhances public safety during disasters
32:13 - Real-world use case: Evacuation management during wildfires
34:33 - The power of social media virality for disaster information
37:22 - Increasing public opt-in rates for alerts through better understanding behavior
41:44 - Challenging the “tradition vs progress” mindset in fire service
45:21 - The importance of reliable, day-one operational technology in public safety
48:42 - Building genuine relationships and long-term impact over vanity metrics
52:49 - Reflecting on the journey: Seven years in the making
53:36 - Advice for young women and ambitious individuals entering male-dominated industries
57:14 - The significance of self-care and overcoming self-doubt
59:14 - Final thoughts: Staying in the game for the long haul and building relationships
60:10 - How to connect with Bailey and learn more about Perimeter

Resources & Links:
https://perimeterplatform.com/
https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game


Connect with Bailey Farren:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyfarren/

Connect with Eric Linnenburger:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger/
[email protected]

Episode Description

Discover how fire service innovations in sleep research and wearable technology are transforming health outcomes and operational effectiveness. Assistant Chief Mike Binney shares insights from his groundbreaking research that led to policy changes and changes to shift start times. 

Key Topics

The journey from firefighter to researcher, blending data science with fire service realities

The comprehensive sleep study at Yale and its implications for responder health

How wearable technology like Whoop is being used to collect granular biometric data

Strategies for securing funding and building trust with fire department teams

The impact of shift scheduling and policy changes on sleep quality and recovery

The concept of "duty-related jet lag" caused by rapid time zone shifts in first responders

The importance of human context in interpreting hyper-granular data

Future trends in wearables, exposure tracking, and AI's role in fire service safety and health

Practical recommendations for improving sleep through environment and policy adjustments


Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and the importance of sleep research in fire service

00:37 - Chief Binney's background: blending data science with firefighting

01:49 - The development of comprehensive sleep and health studies at Yale

02:09 - Starting the fire service journey during the financial crisis

02:50 - Building bridges: working with unions and leadership on wellness initiatives

03:45 - The hybrid Yale program: merging health informatics with fire service realities

04:54 - Turning data into action: challenges of translating science into policy

05:43 - The motivation behind research: giving firefighters more time with families

06:28 - The effects of shift schedules and the push for 9 a.m. start times

07:05 - Funding the study: grants, partnerships, and leveraging academic credibility

08:12 - Partnering with wearable companies like Whoop for real-time biometric data

09:03 - The evolution from pilot projects to large-scale data collection

10:09 - Ethics and ownership of biometric data in fire service research

11:22 - The power of one "yes": scaling the research from pilot to full department

12:17 - Measuring over a million data points and insights from the dataset

13:26 - The role of behavioral factors and self-perception in fatigue reporting

14:49 - How culture influences wellness and data acceptance among firefighters

15:52 - Quantifying the impact of scheduling on physiological outcomes

16:45 - The significance of community, trust, and leadership in successful studies

17:51 - Building relationships: collaboration with unions and departments

18:21 - The pilot study: designing, implementing, and iterating

19:48 - Integration of diverse data sources: biometric, call times, and health diaries

21:29 - Data privacy, IRB approval, and ownership of biometric data

23:16 - The importance of transparency and respecting member ownership

24:54 - Addressing the "big tech" fears and ethical concerns

26:13 - Supporting members through data literacy and internal champions

27:49 - Recognition and awards: the John P. Redmond Award

28:41 - The Denver fire service collaboration and shared regional goals

29:41 - Blinding study phases and ensuring data integrity

32:28 - Cultivating trust: the role of local leaders and ambassadors

34:39 - Metrics tracked: heart rate variability, sleep stages, and performance

37:34 - Quality of data: managing noisy, messy datasets

39:26 - Incorporating qualitative surveys, family impact, and perception

40:16 - Policy implications: changing work start times and fostering better sleep opportunities

44:04 - Challenges and balancing operational needs with sleep health

46:08 - Using tech tools like Google Maps API to personalize commutes

50:44 - The "duty-related jet lag" phenomenon and long-term health effects

55:45 - Practical tips: leveraging wearables, environment, and moderation

58:41 - Future of wearables, exposure tracking, and AI in fire service

64:22 - The importance of maintaining humanity amidst increasing data and automation

66:21 - Upcoming research publications and the importance of scientific rigor

68:05 - Connecting with Mike Binney for collaboration and insights


Resources & Links

Science To The Station: https://www.science2station.org/

West Metro Fire Rescue
Whoop Wearable Technology
Yale School of Public Health
Joel Billings' Emergency Services Sleep Diary
Tactical Sleep Rescue Program
American Public Health Association

Contact:
[email protected]  

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
[email protected]

Mike Binney
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Ops Talk, Eric Linnenburger sits down with Westminster Fire Department leaders, Captain Samuel Pendleton and Battalion Chief Jake Lieser, to profile the fire captain position. With over two decades of experience each and careers that have evolved side by side, Sam and Jake bring unique perspectives on what separates the captain from the lieutenant, the leadership challenges of the role, and how captains bridge the gap between line personnel and the chief's office.

The conversation explores the expanded responsibilities captains carry—from facility and district management to staffing administration and training oversight—and the critical role they play in motivating other leaders without direct supervisory authority. Sam and Jake share honest lessons from major incidents, including the Marshall Fire, the Nolan's RV fire, and the Revive fertilizer fire, discussing the tactical awareness, decision-making under pressure, and trust required at this level of leadership.

They also get candid about mistakes made along the way, the power of communication, the importance of curiosity and self-awareness, and what it takes to prepare for the captain role. Whether you're a lieutenant preparing for promotion, a newly appointed captain, or a seasoned officer looking for fresh perspectives, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the most critical positions in the fire service.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Fire Leadership
01:08 - Paths to the Fire Service
06:51 - Understanding the Captain's Role
13:47 - Expectations and Responsibilities of a Captain
19:28 - The Importance of Discernment in Leadership
26:56 - Motivating and Leading Other Leaders
30:42 - Leading Up: The Role of Captains
33:35 - Operational Expectations: Captains vs. Lieutenants
39:07 - Real-World Experiences: Lessons from Major Incidents
50:06 - The Power of Communication in Leadership
01:00:21 - The Importance of Self-Awareness and Curiosity in Leadership
01:02:26 - Navigating the Transition from Lieutenant to Captain
01:06:30 - Building Relationships for Career Advancement
01:08:47 - Understanding the Role of a Captain
01:12:34 - The Critical Nature of the Captain Role
01:20:17 - Bridging the Gap: The Captain as a Connector

#FireService #FireCaptain #FireLeadership #CompanyOfficer #Firefighter #FireDepartment #OpsTalk #LeadershipDevelopment #firstresponders 

Key Topics:

-The evolution from lieutenant to captain and what changes operationally and administratively

-Facility management, district management, and staffing responsibilities of fire captains

-Leading peers without direct supervisory authority—influencing other lieutenants at your station

-The captain as a bridge between line personnel and the chief's office

-Tactical and operational expectations: higher incident command awareness and decision-making

-Real-world lessons from major incidents including the Marshall Fire and multi-alarm responses

-The power of words and communication as a leader—how influence changes with rank

-Curiosity and self-awareness as critical leadership skills

-Preparing for promotion: building relationships up and down the chain of command

-Administrative time management vs. crew engagement—balancing competing demands

-Acting as a battalion chief and what captains learn from stepping into that role

-The importance of predictability, consistency, and authenticity in leadership

-Servant leadership: serving the mission, the organization, and your people

-Common mistakes new captains make and how to avoid them
Why the captain role is one of the most critical positions in the fire service

Contact:
[email protected]  

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
[email protected]

Jake Lieser
[email protected]

Samuel Pendleton
[email protected]

Episode Description:
In this episode, Eric Linnenburger dives into the world of water rescue with Alec Shogan, a fire medic and water rescue coordinator, highlighting the unique challenges and advancements within the fire service's water rescue programs. Discover how a small department like the Westminster Fire Department manages specialized operations like swift water, ice rescue, and even wildfire responses using boats and cutting-edge technology.

#FireService #WaterRescue #SwiftWater #IceRescue #Firefighter

Key Topics:
-Westminster Fire Department's water rescue evolution and rebranding from "dive team" to "water rescue team"

-Alec's background in diving and what drew him to the water rescue specialty

-How regional collaboration enhances water rescue capabilities across agencies

-The importance of specialized water rescue skills in a landlocked state like Colorado

-Swift water rescue techniques: search patterns, rope systems, and safety protocols

-Unique equipment: boats, sonar, underwater ROV, new dive truck, and communications technology

-Structured training requirements, certifications, and volunteer pathways to join the team

-Water rescue responses for lakes, swift water, and flood emergencies

-Recent wildfire deployment supporting wildland firefighting efforts via boats

-How agencies can develop water rescue programs and get started

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the water rescue team and Alec's background
02:18 - Alec's career path and influence of a key mentor
03:39 - The evolution of Westminster's water rescue program
06:02 - Why being a "water guy" attracted Alec to the fire service
07:25 - Regionalization and inter-agency collaboration in water rescue
08:18 - Water rescue in landlocked Colorado: risks and water bodies
10:55 - Swift water rescue: search techniques, hazards, and resource needs
12:24 - Rope systems, technical rescue, and incident management
15:54 - Training expectations, certifications, and volunteer involvement
19:00 - Essential equipment: boats, sonar, dive truck, and underwater ROV
22:38 - From the bread truck to advanced technology
26:54 - Water rescue for lakes and floodwaters during wildfire season
32:38 - Managing cold water rescues and the 90-minute rescue window
34:39 - Tech innovations: sonar, underwater robots, dive computers
38:56 - Supporting law enforcement recovery and cold case searches
41:54 - Wildfire deployment: supporting wildland firefighting with boats 
45:58 - The importance of boat experience and cross-training
46:35 - Motivating others to pursue water rescue as a specialized skill
50:02 - Multi-agency collaboration and training efforts
52:20 - How to get involved and the importance of certified swimming skills

Contact:
[email protected]  

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
[email protected]

Alec Shogan
[email protected]

This episode is best consumed on YouTube via the Ops Talk channel for the full experience and video footage. Find it here: https://youtu.be/8yr0wwNE7g8

This bonus episode shares a presentation that was given at a regional officer development class on a challenging apartment fire response, highlighting critical lessons for first-due officers, incident management, and preparedness. Whether you're on the fireground or leading crews, these insights aim to improve your response strategies and decision-making under pressure.
Key Topics:

Accurate scene size-up and building identification
Effective radio communication and crowd management
Strategic resource deployment and incident scene organization
Lessons learned from VEIS, ladder placement, and firefighting tactics
Team relationships and cross-boundary training
Managing media, documentation, and post-incident investigation
Decision-making frameworks: recognizing cues and operating under stress
Building mental resilience and maintaining calm in chaos

Timestamps:
00:05 - Introduction and incident overview
01:01 - Why preparation and lessons learned matter
02:00 - First arriving officer responsibilities
04:46 - Building familiarity and pre-incident knowledge
05:48 - Importance of the first five minutes
08:10 - Incident details and building layout
09:20 - Response and initial observations
11:21 - Blue Card and communication systems
12:19 - Tactical assessment: fire conditions and rescue priorities
14:14 - Resource deployment
15:22 - Window rescues and scene chaos
16:57 - Fire behavior and decision points
19:20 - Tactics: VEIS, hose lines, and rescue operations
22:39 - Water supply and ladder placement
28:21 - Supervisory roles and scene command
30:37 - Incident size and managing multiple divisions
33:09 - Mastering fundamentals and decision frameworks
34:26 - Books and mental models for operational excellence
37:13 - Skill mastery: VEIS, quick water, equipment familiarity
39:07 - Decision-making under pressure
43:02 - Fireground mindset: System 1 vs. System 2 thinking
44:15 - Rapid rescues and firefighter rescue survey
48:15 - Leadership at the company level
52:38 - Cross-boundary training and regional cooperation
54:20 - Scene management: naming, positioning, communication
57:04 - ICS roles and operational readiness
59:04 - Recognition-Primed Decision making
62:45 - Building situational awareness through literature
63:52 - Detachment and leadership perspective
66:15 - Managing media and mental resilience
69:07 - Scene size-up, water supply, resource staging
71:56 - The critical role of EMS
72:25 - High-rise fire case study: Twin Parks
74:10 - Battery and EV charging hazards
75:06 - Post-incident review and investigation readiness
78:24 - Hose lines, crew safety, tactical positioning
80:49 - Scene size-up: sides of the building
82:11 - Scene command from the scene or balcony
83:08 - Dealing with media and public perception
84:02 - Post-incident investigation and accountability
86:08 - Documentation and legal considerations
90:42 - Debriefs and continuous improvement
94:01 - Preparing for future large-scale incidents
95:28 - Leadership and fostering a proactive safety culture
95:46 - Closing thoughts and Q&A

Resources Mentioned:
The Emergency Mind: Dan Dworkis MD PHD
Sources of Power: Gary Klein
Thinking, Fast and Slow: Daniel Kahneman
Mastering Fireground Command: Brian Brush and Anthony Kastros
Fire Engineering (May 2024)
Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Jocko Willink
Fire Rescue Survey

Contact:
[email protected]  

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
[email protected]

OpsTalk Podcast - Fire Department EMS
Host: Deputy Chief Eric Linnenburger
Guest: Westminster Fire Department EMS Chief Chad Christian

Episode Overview
In this episode of the OpsTalk Podcast, host Eric Linnenburger speaks with EMS Chief Chad Christian about the remarkable achievements of the Westminster Fire Department EMS section in 2025, including a 200% increase in cardiac arrest ROSC rates. They discuss the importance of high-quality CPR, the integration of new equipment, and the critical role of teamwork in emergency services. The conversation also highlights community engagement efforts in CPR training, the challenges of recruiting and retaining paramedics, and the future focus on trauma care and whole blood programs. Through data-driven approaches and innovative training techniques, the department aims to enhance emergency response and save more lives.

Chapters
Introduction to EMS Success
04:49  Focus on High-Quality CPR
10:19  Integrating New Equipment for Better Outcomes
12:41  The Importance of Team Dynamics
16:53  Training Sessions and Their Impact
21:18  Navigating New Guidelines and Equipment
25:47  The Role of Safety and Medical (SAM) Officers
31:10  Community Engagement in CPR Training
3600:  48Building Community Connections
38:54  Enhancing Safety with AEDs and CPR Training
41:53  Recruitment and Retention of Paramedics
48:41  The Value of Fire-Based EMS
55:20  Future Directions in Trauma Care
01:08  The Importance of Holistic Trauma Care

#fireservice #ems #leadership #podcast 

Contact:
[email protected]

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger
[email protected]

Chad Christian
[email protected]

In this crossover episode of Ops Talk, Deputy Chief Eric Linnenburger is interviewed by Peter Younes, on the Project Command Podcast. He shares his extensive journey in the fire service, spanning over 25 years. He discusses his transition from line officer to deputy chief, emphasizing the challenges and growth opportunities that come with moving into administration. Eric highlights the importance of leadership, officer development, and the need for effective communication within the fire service. He also delves into his recent article on the transition from fire ground to front office, shedding light on the cultural shifts and skill sets required for success in administrative roles.

The conversation further explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in fire service operations, with Eric sharing practical examples of how AI can enhance efficiency and decision-making. He discusses the importance of staying connected with the membership and maintaining open lines of communication to foster trust and collaboration. The insights provide valuable lessons for those considering a promotion or transition into administrative roles, emphasizing the need for adaptability, relationship-building, and continuous learning in the evolving landscape of the fire service.

In this episode of Ops Talk, Eric Linnenburger interviews Captain Peter Younes, a Henrico County Fire Captain, project management professional, and host of the Project Command Podcast. They discuss the importance of effective fire service project management, the challenges of implementing projects in operations, and the role of technology and AI in enhancing fire department efficiency. Peter shares his journey in the fire service, the significance of understanding project management principles, and the common pitfalls that can derail projects. The conversation emphasizes the need for foundational skills and proactive learning to adapt to the evolving demands of the fire service.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Project Management in Fire Service
03:27 Peter Younes' Journey in the Fire Service
08:42 Identifying the Gap in Project Management Training
09:52 The Importance of Project Management in Fire Departments
15:13 Operational Projects and Their Impact
19:52 Mentorship and Leadership Development
23:30 Basics of Project Management for Operations
32:00 Defining Success in Projects
33:05 Common Pitfalls in Project Management
35:00 The Cost of Project Failure
40:46 Understanding Technical Debt
45:13 Leveraging Technology for Project Management
47:22 The Role of AI in Fire Service
56:09 Preparing for Future Challenges
01:00:07 Motivation and Giving Back to the Fire Service

Contact:
[email protected]

Eric Linnenburger
linkedin.com/in/eric-linnenburger 
[email protected]

Peter Younes
Project Command Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-command/id1846384691
[email protected]