The Firehouse Leadership Podcast: Recent Episodes
Joshua Chase and Jarrod Sergi
The Firehouse Leadership Podcast is committed to changing the fire service through authentic conversations about our passion for the job and the men and women who are committed to the craft. This podcast has a firehouse "galley table" feel and will make you feel like you're grabbing coffee or a meal with some salty crew members! Join Josh and Jarrod as they take you on an encouraging and empowering journey centered around their lives as firefighters. We're sure to disappoint and offend a few of you, but hey, we're gonna have fun while we do it!
NEW EPISODE!!!! Season ONE Episode FIFTEEN: All about laterals and loyalty my friends! Why are people leaving their departments and the fire service all together? We’re gonna get into that today!!! Sit back and listen in to this solo episode by yours truly, Josh Chase.
Here we go mi compadres! Just another great episode of talking shop. We actually get into quite a bit in this episode. Nothing we planned to get into of course. Guaranteed to hit something you’re dealing with in the firehouse!!!
What's up my friends this episode is all about leadership and how to do it right. We don't have it all right, but we've made a few mistakes so you don't have to. At this point there are a couple things that really work, and a couple things you should probably stop doing immediately. Let's get to it friends!
What should your expectations look like when you arrive at a new house as an officer? What can you expect from your officer as a firefighter? You don't have to wonder anymore. Check out this episode from my cohost Jarrod Sergi. I'm not gonna lie, I took a few notes on this one!
Welcome to another episode with an awesome guest! This week we had the opportunity to sit down with Retired Training Chief Jake Barnes. He is one of my favorites to interview and I think you will more than enjoy his perspective. We might as well have had a couple drinks before we started this one. WARNING… I let Jake do his own bio…Regrettably… You’re sure to love this one!
Jarrod and I are back in the studio and catching up for a few and talking about all things fire and current events! Excited to be back with a new episode this week!
This episode is all real galley table talk between two firefighters that love the job. Yes, I know I am an officer, but I know where I come from... We don’t know it all, but we share our genuine passion for the job and the men and women who are out there crushing it. Heath is a firefighter out of good ole Texas. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and he has the passion and personality to prove it!
What's up mi compadres! This week Jarrod is flying solo while I'm on vacation in the mountains! He had a great conversation with Fire Chief Dennis Doan out on the west coast. Chief Doan Shares a similar passion with leadership and accountability. Like all other episodes, you will not be disappointed! Without further delay, Dennis Doan everyone! Bio is below and pretty awesome!
BIO:
Chief Doan’s fire service career began as a volunteer in 1990 with North Ada County Fire & Rescue in Boise. Chief Doan was hired by Boise Fire Department as a career firefighter on April 1, 1991. He served as the City of Boise Fire Chief from February 2008 to March 2020. Early in his career he was very active with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and held multiple positions with Boise Firefighters IAFF Local 149 including Burnout Fund Chairman, Grievance Committee Chairman, Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho delegate, and served on the Executive Board.
March 2021 Chief Dennis Doan was hired as Fire Chief of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One in Washington. In 2022 & 2023 he passed an EMS Levy Lid Lift, a General Fire Levy Lid Lift, and the largest Fire Facilities Bond in Washington state history at $80M with 67% of the residents voting in favor. The Bond money will build a new training facility, and rebuild stations 51, 53, 57, 58, 59 and a new logistics facility.
Chief Doan and his wife, Shawn, live in Gig Harbor Washington and enjoy spending time with family and friends, golfing, boating and travel. They have three children, Dustin in Denver CO, Aidan in Boise ID, and Skyler in Gig Harbor WA.
What's up mi compadres! In this episode we sit down with firefighter Matt Schwaner from the Virginia Beach Fire Department. You wanna talk about real passion?! This guy has it. We talk about everything fire, combat sports, everything fire, and combat sports. His passion of the job and how he got into the job is both encouraging and inspiring. So, sit back, listen in, and lets get started.Approaching his 7 th year in the Virginia Beach Fire Department as a Master Firefighter and Paramedic assigned to Engine 10 on C shift as the Driver Operator. He is a lead instructor for the Driver Pumper Operator Program within his department. Matthew Schwaner will be leading along side with other instructors from Fairfax, Henrico County, and Norfolk this year at the Virginia Fire Rescue Conference that takes February 20 th and 21 st . This years Engine HOT class will focus on water mapping applications for aggressive interior structure firefighting.Matthew Schwaner has been an avid martial artist for over 12 years with an amateur career of combat sports including Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is also a former gym owner, and certified personal trainer with over 12 years of teaching experience.You wanna get ahold of Matt? mschwane@vbgov.com
Jarrod’s flying solo this week as he tackles what it looks like to create the right experience for your new people! Solid advice for even the most tenured firefighters!
Marc Aloan from The Fire Inside! We chat about all things fire of course... We have some current "issues" in the fire service and we dive into how we are going to solve them all in 1.5 hours. We also discuss Die Hard... again... Marc was a solid guest with a wealth of knowledge and I know you will benefit from his wisdom. Without further delay, Marc Aloan ladies and gents!
Marc Aloan is a career Battalion Chief with the West Columbia Fire Department (SC) and creator of The Fire Inside blog. He has been immersed in the fire service for nearly 20 years, in both volunteer and career departments, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He is a nationally recognized speaker and published author with work in culture and professional development. He holds a B.S. in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Waldorf University.
In this episode, Josh sits down with Retired Fire Lieutenant and talks all about getting focused on fitness and how it pertains to leadership in the firehouse. He also chats about how Lee can get you jump started on your fitness journey if you're looking to get to the next level!
Jarrod’s flying solo for this one while I’m out slaying the dragon of course. In this episode, Jarrod expands on what it should look like for a new guy or “rookie” in the first couple years of his/her career. Listen in as he literally lays out a road map that will help any rookie be successful, and help any senior guy mentor the rookie. Let’s go ladies and gents!
Welcome back my friends! Stoked to bring you another episode of me and Jarrod bantering back and forth about improving the fire service! This episode is all about question and answer. Listen in as we discuss promotional processes, shared or not so shared vision between officers and crews, and dealing with millennials in the fire service. Sit back, listen in, and let’s get started! As always, if you want to hear a topic shoot us an email or grab us on social media!
What’s up my friends and welcome to the first official episode of the Firehouse Leadership Podcast! Where we believe in keeping leadership in the firehouse. In this episode “The Galley Table” we get into what the podcast is all about and banter back and forth about how awesome we are. Well, not really, but maybe. We have you covered from the Jump Seat to the Front Seat my friends! Also, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and check us out on social media! Sit back, listen, and let’s get started! You want topics or you have questions? Shoot us an email! FHLeadershippodcast@gmail.com
EXCITING NEWS! Trial by Fire and Jump Seat Leadership are teaming up and launching THE FIREHOUSE LEADERSHIP PODCAST Next Month! Pretty stoked to be doing this with my brother, Captain Jarrod Sergi!!!! If you've been listening to the Jump Seat Leadership podcast, thank you! It's transitioning over to The Firehouse Leadership Podcast in October. You can STAY SUBSCRIBED RIGHT HERE! You will now have two dudes that are passionate about the fire service and talking shop! Thank you to all my listeners! We decided to make this change to bring you a better listening experience and maximize your time when you choose to listen. Lets Go!!!!! Stay subscribed and keep getting better!
In this ground breaking episode Jarrod all things leadership! He has a pretty extensive bio and is the founder of Trial by Fire! Jarrod is a captain and an 18-year veteran of Norfolk (VA) Fire Rescue assigned to an engine company. He has developed several regional training programs that include engine and ladder company operations. He is a state instructor for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the National Fire Academy, focusing on Mayday and strategy/tactics. He is an NFA EFO graduate. Lets go ladies and gents!
The wrong sacrifice… I can’t say enough about this… In a job where we preach sacrifice, we sometimes sacrifice the wrong things in the “name of service.” You should not be sacrificing your family at the expense of being a good firefighter. This is a crucial imbalance that needs to be addressed immediately if this is you. Your wife, husband, and kids come first ladies and gents. Not second to a career that will ask for everything, but may give you nothing in return.
Sergi
In this podcast I interview Retired Fire Captain John M. Cuomo from Palm Beach Fire Rescue!!! John had it right when he said, "A good fire officer can read smoke, understand building construction, and fight fires. Exceptional leadership, though, means going above and beyond what is required to answer the call of duty. In the fire service, it can be the difference between survival or disaster. Leadership qualities can advance your career and develop you into the firefighter and exceptional leader that your fire department, crew, and the community can count on." Check it out and go grab John's book over on amazon!!! https://a.co/d/9kl13ju
You want to be enouraged to be a better leader in the fire service?! This is your podcast episode! Captain Vermeulen wrote the book, The Modern Fire Officer to encourage and inspire you to pick up where you and learn to lead well. It's all about communicating, motivating and leading! The was a great conversation about modern leadership, being fit to lead, mental health, and how influential you can be as a station officer. If you are an officer or looking to be an officer someday, this is your book. Grab the book over at modernfireofficer.com. For now, sit back, listen in and let's get started!
Podcast Guest Bio:
Jared is a Captain with Boca Raton Fire Rescue where he has served for over 15 years. He is a first generation firefighter that entered the fire service in 2007 after working as a paramedic for a local ambulance company and hospital. Jared Specializes in hazardous materials, rope rescue, trench rescue, confined space, and heavy extrication as a part of his departments regional hazmat team for Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. Jared is the author of the book “The Modern Fire Officer” which is intended to help officers create and motivate hardworking healthy crews and prepare for the many challenges they will face while providing top notch internal and external customer service.
This episode is all about family!!! You have to keep your priorities straight in the fire service. I had trouble early on and almost ended up divorced. Since then, I have learned that balance and communication are key. If you want your marriage to be a priority, you have to keep it a priority. I had the chance to expand more on this thought on the Fit to Fight Fire Podcast, and the Behind the Shield podcast. I’ve included those podcast links below, but for now, sit back, listen in, and let’s get started!
Fit to Fight Fire Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redemption-through-grace-with-josh-chace/id1668275335?i=1000604585109
Behind the Shield Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/josh-chase-episode-744/id1178831764?i=1000604033239
Pretty stoked to finish up my convo with Fire Chief Les Karpluk! Of course we're talking fire service, leadership and his NEW BOOK Coffee Cup Leadership. Les has written a phenomenal book that the fire service needs! It's all about putting rank aside and leading like a human being... It's about having those real conversations in the firehouse over coffee. Yah know, the hard ones we put off because we don't like being vulnerable... So sit back, listen in and let's get started with Part 1 of 2 with Fire Chief Les Karpluk! You can grab his latest book over at https://a.co/d/70Y8tSn
Guest Bio:
Les Karpluk
Starting his career in the Prince Albert Fire Department in 1982 and retiring in 2014, Les held several positions within the fire department, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief and Fire Chief for over 8 years. In 2009 Les was recognized by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs as the Fulltime Career Chief of the Year.
From 2014 to present Les has spoken about leadership across Canada and in the United States over 60 times and has written over 100 articles about leadership for online magazines. He has presented coast to coast at fire conferences in Canada and more specifically in the U.S at Fire House Expo in Nashville, Fire House World in San Diego, and the Smoky Mountain Rescue weekend in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
Les has been the Fire Chief of the Waskesiu Fire Department for Parks Canada from 2018 to present day. In 2007 He graduated with Distinction in the Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services, (Lakeland College), and currently possesses FO-IV (JIBC), Emergency Management Certificate (JIBC) and certificates in Fire Service Leadership and Fire Service Administration (Dalhousie University), NFPA 1035 and Level 2 instructor NFPA 1041 and numerous courses through Athabasca University and Western Oregon State College. He is also an adjunct instructor for Dalhousie University, Justice Institute of British Columbia and Lakeland College in their fire service and business programs.
Les is president of his consulting company Genesis 20/20 Solutions Inc and works with fire departments to create strategic plans, master plans and emergency management plans.
Pretty stoked about my guest this week, Fire Chief Les Karpluk! Of course we're talking fire service, leadership and his NEW BOOK Coffee Cup Leadership. Les has written a phenomenal book that the fire service needs! It's all about putting rank aside and leading like a human being... It's about having those real conversations in the firehouse over coffee. Yah know, the hard ones we put off because we don't like being vulnerable... So sit back, listen in and let's get started with Part 1 of 2 with Fire Chief Les Karpluk! You can grab his latest book over at https://a.co/d/70Y8tSn
Guest Bio:
Les Karpluk
Starting his career in the Prince Albert Fire Department in 1982 and retiring in 2014, Les held several positions within the fire department, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief and Fire Chief for over 8 years. In 2009 Les was recognized by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs as the Fulltime Career Chief of the Year.
From 2014 to present Les has spoken about leadership across Canada and in the United States over 60 times and has written over 100 articles about leadership for online magazines. He has presented coast to coast at fire conferences in Canada and more specifically in the U.S at Fire House Expo in Nashville, Fire House World in San Diego, and the Smoky Mountain Rescue weekend in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
Les has been the Fire Chief of the Waskesiu Fire Department for Parks Canada from 2018 to present day. In 2007 He graduated with Distinction in the Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services, (Lakeland College), and currently possesses FO-IV (JIBC), Emergency Management Certificate (JIBC) and certificates in Fire Service Leadership and Fire Service Administration (Dalhousie University), NFPA 1035 and Level 2 instructor NFPA 1041 and numerous courses through Athabasca University and Western Oregon State College. He is also an adjunct instructor for Dalhousie University, Justice Institute of British Columbia and Lakeland College in their fire service and business programs.
Les is president of his consulting company Genesis 20/20 Solutions Inc and works with fire departments to create strategic plans, master plans and emergency management plans.
Lt. Carl Lee Throckmorton - Part 2 of 2: Functional Fitness and Kaizen Groundworks
This is Part 2 with Lt. Carl Lee! Check out the bio below and be sure to check out part one if you haven't already. This week we finish up our conversation about functional fitness, tactical athletes, informal leadership and other fun fire department things. Sit back, listen in and let's get started mi compadres!
Extensive Guest Bio:
In 1993 Lee joined the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service. Lee was part of a team of lifesavers that guarded and patrolled more than 5 miles of public oceanfront beaches in one of the busiest tourist destinations on the east coast. He was trained in surf lifesaving, surveillance and rescue techniques, as well as emergency medical response. He worked his way through the ranks and left the lifesaving service in 2015 as the First Lieutenant of Operations in charge of 250 members at the Virginia Beach OceanFront.
And there’s more…
Lee has also been a Strength and Conditioning Coach since 2008 and owned his own Gym from 2015-2018. His wife currently owns a strength and condition gym that he is very much a part of. He has degrees and certifications that I can’t even begin to mention, but most important of all has the experience matched with education. He recently founded a company called Kaizen Groundworks. He specializes in making sure all your needs are met as a tactical athlete as it pertains to fitness.
Let’s get right to it. The fire service is not a competition of who can do it better or what department is better. This is a collective effort to provide the communities we serve in with the best possible outcome during an emergency! I would say we are competitive in nature, but it’s gotten to the point where some days the competition turns into mud slinging. Maybe let's work together?!
Well, it's January and everyone is making those "fitness changes." So, I couldn't think of a better month to bring on my friend Carl Lee Throckmorton. He is a 26 year veteran of the fire service, joined the Virginia Beach Life Saving service in 1993, and has been a strength and conditioning coach since 2008. He has a passion for fitness in the fire service and 100% believes that we are tactical athletes (I agree with him.) Listen in as we discuss all things informal leadership, tactical athletes, and functional fitness. This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode! Check back next week for Part 2!
Guest Bio:
Carl Lee Throckmorton has over 25 years with Norfolk Fire Rescue in Norfolk, Virginia and has just recently retired as a Lieutenant. He did a significant amount of that time as a firefighter/paramedic and was a proven informal leader in the fire service. Lee also has a law enforcement background. He was appointed to the Norfolk Fire Rescue’s fire Marshal's office in 2009 and graduated from the police academy in 2010. He served as a fire investigator until 2012 when he returned to operations. Lee is also the founding member of the Norfolk Fire Rescue fitness committee and has been passionate about moving fitness forward in the department.
In 1993 Lee joined the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service. Lee was part of a team of lifesavers that guarded and patrolled more than 5 miles of public oceanfront beaches in one of the busiest tourist destinations on the east coast. He was trained in surf lifesaving, surveillance and rescue techniques, as well as emergency medical response. He worked his way through the ranks and left the lifesaving service in 2015 as the First Lieutenant of Operations in charge of 250 members at the Virginia Beach OceanFront.
And there’s more…
Lee has also been a Strength and Conditioning Coach since 2008 and owned his own Gym from 2015-2018. His wife currently owns a strength and condition gym that he is very much a part of. He has degrees and certifications that I can’t even begin to mention, but most important of all has the experience matched with education. He recently founded a company called Kaizen Athletics. He specializes in making sure all your needs are met as a tactical athlete as it pertains to fitness.
New Year, New You? No. Why do we feel the need to "reinvent" ourselves every year? What if we just figured out who we were as men and women in the fire service? What if we set some consistent goals we could be committed to? Someone should do a podcast on this....
It's the end of 2022 and everyone is talking about New Years Resolutions and what they are going to do next year. Why? There are still 19 days left in this year. Don't put off for tomorrow what can be down today! Why are you waiting till 2023 to accomplish what you set out to accomplish?! Use the last part of this year to hit it hard and finish strong. Let's not finish the year eating cheese and crackers and drinking egg nog. Don't go in to 2023 with your foundation being procrastination! Take advantage of the time we have left! 2022 is not over.
P.S. I do like cheese and crackers and egg nog.
This episode is all about taking ownership of your career in the fire service, staying fully involved in your decision to take ownership, and making the decision not to quit. The fire service is not easy every day. Our standards, morals, and patience are tested DAILY! These are three simple things you can do to make your career in the fire service all the more enjoyable! Sit back, listen in, and let's get started!
This is Part 2 of 2 with my guest Jake Barnes. Jake is a training Chief and is passionate about three things. Pride, training, and physical fitness in the fire service. In this episode we get into pride, training, and you guessed it, physical fitness. We also discuss his passion for teaching NFPA 1403 courses as well as discussing a holiday argument that needs to be settled. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? You can check out a more formal bio below and check out Jake's podcast, Three Point Firefighteras soon as you get done with this one. Sit back, listen in, and let's get started!
Jake Barnes’ career started in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for five years as a fire protection specialist. Since leaving the military, Barnes worked as a firefighter in Lexington, Kentucky, for eight years and in New Albany, Indiana, for 18 years, where he currently serves as Battalion Chief of Training. Barnes is an instructor for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, teaching NFPA 1403, Fixed Facility, Basement Fire, and Training Officer Credential classes, and serves as the host of 3 Point Firefighter, a podcast focused on pride, training and physical fitness.
This is Part 1 of 2 with my guest Jake Barnes. Jake is a training Chief and is passionate about three things. Pride, training, and physical fitness in the fire service. In this episode we get into pride, training, and you guessed it, physical fitness. We also discuss his passion for teaching NFPA 1403 courses as well as discussing a holiday argument that needs to be settled. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? You can check out a more formal bio below and check out Jake's podcast, Three Point Firefighteras soon as you get done with this one. Sit back, listen in, and let's get started!
Jake Barnes’ career started in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for five years as a fire protection specialist. Since leaving the military, Barnes worked as a firefighter in Lexington, Kentucky, for eight years and in New Albany, Indiana, for 18 years, where he currently serves as Battalion Chief of Training. Barnes is an instructor for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, teaching NFPA 1403, Fixed Facility, Basement Fire, and Training Officer Credential classes, and serves as the host of 3 Point Firefighter, a podcast focused on pride, training and physical fitness.
This weeks episode is all about self reflection. That's why its called look in the mirror... One of the most powerful things you can do in the fire service is take a look at where you are at in your career and begin to make the necessary changes. It's either that or talk trash about where other people are in their career to make yourself feel better! The choice is yours my friends. So, sit back, listen in, and let's get started.
Well, no one cares. No one cares what you did before the fire service and in this episode we're going to talk about why. Even if you came from another department, most of us still don't care. I get that's not very encouraging, but it will be if you understand why. If you want to be an informal leader, sometimes it takes being humble and starting from the bottom. Sit back, listen, and lets get started on this weeks episode.
In the first episode of the season we really get into the meat of Jump Seat Leadership and what it's all about. Leaders wanted; Bugle not Required. You want to be encouraged to lead without rank in the fire service? This is your episode. Sit back, listen in and let's get started.
What's up my friends!? I'm your host Josh Chase, and this is the trailer episode for the Jump Seat Leadership Podcast. This podcast is all about strengthening the fire service through informal leadership. Leaders are wanted and rank is not required. In this trailer I talk about Jump Seat Leadership, the man behind Jump Seat Leadership and what Jump Seat Leadership is all about. Sit back, listen in and lets get started.