Better Every Shift

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor reflects on the news of a Columbia, S.C., fire station that was investigated for its reportedly “over-sexed culture.” Columbia police ultimately decided not to press criminal charges, but that didn’t stop word from spreading about station antics that reportedly involved butt-slapping, wedgies and an “overwhelming infatuation” with...

On this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Frank Leeb, a deputy assistant chief with the FDNY, currently serving as chief of the Fire Academy and chair of the department’s Contamination Reduction Workgroup. The chiefs discuss Leeb's recent FireRescue1 article "Marketing the message: How FDNY spreads the word about firefighter health and safety," which details si...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Ken Stuebing, fire chief of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency in Nova Scotia, Canada, and president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  Chief Stuebing shares what it's like to be the first international president to lead the IAFC in many years, and addresses the ongoing COVID-19 challenges...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Battalion Chief Keith Stakes, a research engineer with UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), about the organization's newly expanded mission, one that focuses on a broader range of emerging fire threats. Stakes shares more about the expanded research efforts at the organization and details some of the research cur...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with fire service legal expert Curt Varone about one of his favorite topics -- discipline. Varone covers the top disciplinary issues that get firefighters and fire officers in hot water, examines the concept of progressive discipline, and explains how disciplinary issues in the fire service vary from those in the "cubicle world"...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor take a high-level look at discipline in the fire service, the importance of consistency, and how to manage friendships within the ranks.  This episode is part of FireRescue1's special coverage series on Firefighter Performance. Check out the full list of content here.

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Michael Baker, fire chief for the Tulsa (Oklahoma) Fire Department. Chief Baker details his first year as fire chief in Tulsa, including his work to improve firefighter morale and his goal to achieve zero fire deaths in Tulsa in 2022. The chief also shares how the department has weathered the COVID-19 storm and notes some of...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Darryl Jones, fire chief for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and member of the IAFC’s Metropolitan Fire Chiefs section. Chief Jones talks about how to deal with naysayers at an organization, focus on being a positive change agent for the department and build member morale. He also talks about the process of improving the...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Sam Greif, fire chief of Plano Fire-Rescue in Texas, and Chairman on the Terrorism & Homeland Security Committee for the IAFC. The two discuss the committee's work, terrorism response efforts and checklists for fire service leaders, and the biggest cybersecurity threats facing public safety agencies.  Download the IAFC...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor weighs in on the debacle unfolding in Baltimore after a court of appeals ruling upholds changes to the city’s pension plan requiring first responders to serve an additional five years before being eligible for retirement benefits. Read the original news story on FireRescue1 . Bashoor calls the ruling a "punch in the gut" to first r...

In this special episode of the Side Alpha podcast, fire, EMS and law enforcement leaders from across the Lexipol media sites come together to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Side Alpha Podcast host Fire Chief Marc Bashoor looks back on the industry-altering event with EMS One-Stop host Rob Lawrence, Inside EMS host Chris Cebollero and Policing Matters podcast ho...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with former FDNY Chief of Department and Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano about 9/11 and what it was like to face the arduous task of redesigning and rebuilding the department in the wake of such a massive loss. Cassano shares his personal 9/11 story, and details the recruitment efforts, new measures to reduce LODD numbers, and...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor reflects on the upcoming 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He considers what we have learned as a fire service, and poses critical questions for leaders: How has your department changed in the past 20 years? How much more could you do? Are you doing everything in your power to take care of your members and the comm...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Jessica Gardetto, the public affairs chief for the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), which supports many different kinds of emergency responses but primarily wildland firefighting. Gardetto outlines the mission of the Center, how NIFC can help fire departments, and addresses the significant wildfire threats curre...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Division Chief Martha Ellis, executive director for the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association. Chief Ellis unpacks all things fireground communications, interoperability and FirstNet. She details the mission of the PSBTA and how FirstNet is currently serving the fire service. Contact Ellis here. This edition of...

We are facing a new epidemic: 'D-Drivers' – drunk, drugged, drowsy, disrespectful, disgruntled, drag-racing, discourteous, distracted and just plain dangerous. “When are we going to realize that it is people who are killing other people, not the cars, not the trucks," Bashoor argues, calling for an escalation of focus on struck-by incidents. Learn more at www.respondersafety.com. This edition of t...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Captain Andrea Hall about fire service leadership, specifically servant leadership, and how leaders can help their members thrive. Captain Hall offers guidance for bringing out the member in crewmembers and the critical role of supervision. She also discusses what it's been like to break barriers as a woman in the fire...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Chris Cebollero about some of the hottest topics in fire-based EMS, including ET3 and treatment-in-place, plus how agencies can get reimbursed even when patients are not transported to the hospital. This edition of the Side Alpha Podcast is brought to you by MSA. At MSA, your health and safety drive us to develop highly...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor considers the differences that exist among personnel in the fire and emergency services, some of which create debates and distraction among the ranks: volunteer vs. career, fire vs. EMS, and similar us vs. them divisions. Chief Bashoor extends Chief Alan Brunacini's mantra "Be nice" beyond our interactions with the public to includ...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Dr. Sara Jahnke defines "Long-COVID," outlines the symptoms and addresses a powerful article by a firefighter currently suffering the effects after his COVID diagnosis. This edition of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by MSA. At MSA your health and safety drive us to develop highly advanced safety equipment to protect you on the job. MSA’s Globe gear i...

On this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast by FireRescue1, Battalion Chief Chad Costa and Fire Chief Marc Bashoor tackle the concept of "Dirty Helmet Syndrome," the idea that some firefighters continue to glamorize dirty gear and unsafe actions, despite knowing the risks. The two discuss the role of culture, generational differences and training, plus what fire officers can do to get their crews to...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with the International Association of Fire Chiefs' new CEO, Rob Brown. The two discuss the future of the IAFC, emergent issues for the fire service, Brown's fire service background, and the honor and responsibility Brown feels to serve as CEO for the association. This edition of the Side Alpha Podcast is brought to you by MS...

In light of the new NFPA report 'Fire in the United States Since 1980, Through the Lens of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem,' Fire Chief Marc Bashoor considers the progress we have achieved and the problems that still exist in the fire service since the seminal report 'America Burning.' This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by Homeland-Six Tactical Radio Straps. These custom rad...

In this episode of the Side Alpha podcast, renowned PIO Pete Piringer offers a look into the life of a public information officer. He shares how he found himself in the PIO position and reflects on some of the more challenging events he experienced, namely 9/11. Piringer details communications about high-profile incidents, offers tips of the trade, and shares guidance for new PIOs. This episode of...

In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Homeland-Six CEO Captain Sean Duncan tackles some of the key issues related to firefighter PPE decontamination and how it relates to cancer prevention. He details some of the ways advancements in PPE can help keep firefighters safe, and looks ahead for PPE trends. This episode of the Side Alpha Podcast is sponsored by Homeland-Six Tactical Radio Straps. T...