Better Every Shift

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor breaks down the U.S. Fire Administration report summarizing the fire service line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) in 2019, spotlighting the decrease in death totals, highlighting commons causes and reinforcing the push to "Get Below 50" LODDs in a single year.

Dr. Burton Clark, a 50-year fire service veteran, tackles firefighter behavior and organizational culture in order to help identify what prevents firefighters from taking proper safety precautions, even when they know it's the right thing to do.

Dr. David Black, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Cordico, discusses mental fitness within the fire service, addressing why firefighters don't seek help for behavioral health concerns, as well as how firefighters and fire service leaders can help each other and themselves when stresses grow.

Firefighter James Pribyl shares his experience as a volunteer firefighter with Turkey Creek Fire Rescue in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, and its connections to his time as an active-duty Marine for 19 years. Pribyl also shares an honest look at a typical day of a volunteer firefighter, based on his FireRescue1 article "I am your local volunteer firefighter."

Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder details the problem with "personality-based mutual aid," how crews can integrate policy into daily operations, tips for maintaining fire department relevance, and the key issue that keeps fire chiefs up at night -- and how to solve it.

Graham addresses how public safety agencies can employ training and policies to ensure their response efforts have a synergistic effect, rather than three agencies operating in silos. He also shares details about the Lexipol Connect Virtual User Group Conference on Oct. 14, 2020.

Chief Randy Bruegman discusses the recent CPSE/ICMA white paper “21st Century Fire & Emergency Services,” designed to stir debate, create dialogue and promote conversations about the changes facing the next generation of leaders, not only in the fire service but also in local government.

Keith Stakes, a research engineer with the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute, describes the recent studies into coordinated fire attack, looking at the impact of ventilation on single-family home fires, multi-family dwelling fires and strip mall fires.

Loveland (Colorado) Fire Rescue Authority Division Chief Greg Ward explains the origins and purpose of the department's Tactical Firefighting (TAC Fire) Teams, which function as a critical element of the police department's SWAT Team, to respond to mass violence incidents.

Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford examines the unique challenges facing fire chiefs in the modern era, from COVID-19 to civil unrest, and how leaders can best navigate the challenges of politics and budgets during such unique times.

Fire Chief Jason Caughey discusses a variety of volunteer fire department challenges, plus how to manage different generations among volunteers while always maintaining the public's trust.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor addresses the fact that some fire service leaders face a new challenge in being deemed ‘guilty by association’ during recent national emergencies. Music by David Hyde

Linda Willing tackles fire service diversity, of both members and opinions, plus challenges facing women in the fire service, generational differences and mentoring the next generation.

Dr. Sara Jahnke, director of the Center for Fire, Rescue and EMS Health Research, explains what we know about the likelihood of COVID-19 surges, and tackles antibody testing reliability.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor explains that fire/EMS departments will not be immune to the sweeping cuts many communities are beginning to experience; as such, it's key to find ways to prove your worth, cut where you can, and maintain the safety of your members. Music by David Hyde

As the conflagration continues, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor underscores that it's time to focus on your members, budget, planning for the future, and strong leadership. Music by David Hyde

Cathie Patterson, the branch chief for fire grants at FEMA, helps departments better understand the grants process, including how the peer review process works and grant pitfalls that can hinder grant success.

Todd LeDuc, Executive Assistant Fire Chief (ret.), Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, tackles the top three health issues facing firefighters: cardiac issues, cancer and behavioral health challenges, and share strategies for staying healthy on the job.

Division Chief Kent Davis discusses the Charlotte (N.C.) Fire Department’s Police Assist Companies (PAC) and how it was used during the recent police violence protests in Charlotte, specifically during an alarming incident where crews were trying to conduct a confined space rescue while being harassed by protesters.

Lt. Jonathan Baxter, the Homeland Security Operations and Public Information Officer with the San Francisco Fire Department, details the firefight to contain the massive Pier 45 fire in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of the city – a firefight that also involved protecting the World War II-era SS Jeremiah O’Brien, which is docked at the pier.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor asks, are you driving in the fast, slow or center lane in your organization? Music by David Hyde

National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chair Steve Hirsch shares an insider’s perspective on volunteerism in the fire service, how to stem declining numbers, ideas for root success strategies for recruitment and retention efforts, and the future of the fire service.

In this Rapid Response to the massive Los Angeles blast that injured 12 LAFD firefighters, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor says explains why seeing the signs and signals of environmental change is like recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack. Read the full article: firerescue1.com/columnists/marc-bashoor/ Music by David Hyde

Dr. Terry Jodrie, a paramedic and medical director, describes his deployment with the International Medical Corps to help treat patients with COVID-19 in New York City.

Fire departments are under the microscope, so we must follow the rules and provide accurate information Music by David Hyde