Critical Conversations Podcast

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and power tools to electric vehicles and energy storage systems—but are we fighting these fires based on facts or outdated assumptions? In this episode of Critical Conversations , hosts Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia sit down with Robert Duval of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to discuss the latest research on lit...

What does it truly mean to honor fallen firefighters and support the families they leave behind? In this impactful episode of Critical Conversations Podcast , hosted by Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia of JLN Associates, we sit down with Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), to discuss the powerful mission of honoring America’s fallen heroes and supp...

In this episode of Critical Conversations , we sit down with Chief John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute and former Fire Chief of East Hartford, Connecticut. Chief Oates shares how data-driven decision-making is transforming the fire service, improving responder safety, and shaping the future of emergency response. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and natio...

In this episode of Critical Conversations , Nick Delia sits down with Eriks Gabliks , Superintendent of the National Fire Academy , to explore leadership, training, and the extraordinary opportunities available to fire and emergency services professionals across the country. Eriks shares how the National Fire Academy serves as a cornerstone for advancing the fire service - offering world-class edu...

Deputy Chief Mark Waters joins us for a deep dive into the leadership tools and resources every firefighter and fire officer should know. With more than 35+ years in the fire service - including 27 years as Deputy Chief of the New London Fire Department - Mark brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it takes to lead. He shares the leadership books he returns to often, the training models...

Join us for the first of our 2025 Leadership Series episodes of Critical Conversations. In this episode, we sit down with one of the fire service’s respected leaders - Chief Dennis L. Rubin - for a discussion on Leadership Basics and what it truly means to lead in today’s fire and emergency service organizations. With over 35 years of experience spanning every rank from firefighter/EMT to Fire Chi...

In our latest episode of Critical Conversations , we sat down with Robert Duvall , the Northeast Regional Director and Fire Investigator at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to discuss critical issues surrounding electric vehicle fire safety and electrical power storage systems. As the adoption of energy storage systems (ESS) continues to grow, so too must our efforts to mitigate as...

Listen in to this enlightening episode of Critical Conversations where with talk with Tom Jenkins, the Research Program Manager at The Fire Safety Research Institute. 🔥 We'll be diving deep into the future of fire safety, discussing the replacement of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) with the new and improved National Emergency Incident Reporting System (NEIRS).

Listen in as Deputy Chief Mark Waters of New London delves into the dramatic events surrounding the recent catastrophic collapse of a historic church. This landmark, a treasured piece of New London's heritage dating back to 1850, met a tragic fate earlier this year. Tune in as Deputy Chief Waters shares exclusive insights and management strategies as well as discusses the profound teaching mom...

Listen in to the latest episode of Critical Conversations, featuring guests Chief John Alston of the New Haven Fire Department, Chief Steve Hoffman of the Colchester Fire Department, Chief Dan Krushinski of the East Franklin (NJ) Fire Department, and Assistant Fire Chief Shelly Carter of the Hamden (CT) Fire Department. They will be discussing their experiences and insights in the fire service ind...

Tune in as we talk all things FDIC, Fire Engineering and talk shop with David Rhodes! David has played an instrumental role in coordinating FDIC Hands-on Training for the past 20 years as well as regularly advising and contributing editorial content to our publications. David formally expanded his role with us last year, working in an advisory position supporting Bobby Halton and the rest of the t...

Situational Awareness Matters - A Critical Conversation with Dr. Richard Gasaway In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Richard Gasaway to discuss how flawed situational awareness is one of the leading causes of near-miss events and a leading contributing factor for casualty events. Developing and maintaining strong situational awareness is catastrophically important. Tune in as we talk with Dr. Ga...

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell was appointed by President Joseph Biden as the U.S. fire administrator on Oct. 25, 2021. Prior to her appointment, Lori served nearly 3 years as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the International Public Safety Data Institute, which she founded after retiring from a 26-year tenure as a senior executive in the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)...

Welcome to the first episode of the new year! Tune in as we speak with the MOST visiting guests we've ever had -  from the CT Joint Fire Service Council. We are talking all things legislative, including the controversial topic of edits to the CPAT - the Candidate Physical Ability Test. The Mission of the Joint Council is to further the needs of the state fire service through inter-association...

“Society needs to change how it thinks and feels about fire death. When a civilian is killed by fire it is not an act of God and when a firefighter is killed it is not part of the job. When there is a fire death something went wrong. The public as well as the fire service can all do better to prevent and survive fire.” - B. A. Clark. Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO has been in the fire service for 45 yea...

Listen in as we hear from retired chief, Rick Lasky, author of Pride & Ownership: A Firefighter's Love of the Job. Richard "Rick" Lasky is an emergency services consultant, author, motivational speaker, and former chief of the Lewisville, Texas Fire Department.  Chief Rick Lasky (ret.) a 37-year veteran of the fire service, served as chief of the Lewisville (TX) Fire Department for 12 yea...

Tune in to JLN's Critical Conversations, as we sit down with Dr. Denis Onieal. As the former senior career federal fire official, Dr. Denis Onieal was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) — the annual training of over 140,000 first responders at and through the National Fire Academy; the National Fire Incident Reporting System, which documents an...

In March of 2020, the world shut down due to COVID-19. Shortly into the shutdown, Leonard would become infected with the virus and spend 50+ days in the hospital, fighting for his life. Tune in tonight as we learn Lenny Guercia's incredible story of determination during uncertainty, with the help of some incredible medical staff. Leonard H. Guercia, Jr. is employed by Yale New Haven Hospital as th...

Since their founding in 2005, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network has been all about providing assistance and support to cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. Their Vision: To be the global leader in firefighter cancer support, awareness and education. Their Mission: To assist firefighters and EMS providers and their immediate families diagnosed with cancer by providing badge to badg...

Ronald Siarnicki, the Foundation’s Executive Director, began his career as a firefighter with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in 1978 and, over 24 years, progressed through the ranks to Chief of the Department. In this position, he served as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the fire, rescue and emergency medical services of Prince George’s County, Maryland. While with the...

Like other first responders, these guys understand the importance of his work. They serve the community and are always ready to save a life on a moment's notice. It’s an incredibly stressful job, and these guys have learned firsthand how a well-timed laugh can make all the difference in the world for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Tune in with Nick Delia as he gets to meet up wi...

Tune in as we discuss Critical Conversation - Leadership Series: Recruiting and Retaining Emergency Responders. Our JLN Critical Conversations are free for First Responders. They are lead by JLN Municipal Lead and former Chief, Nick Delia, with invited special guests.

On tonight's episode, we chat with Gettin' Salty's own Kevin Kubler, 19-year veteran of the FDNY, about the Importance of the Senior Man. We will also be discussing surviving the NY Father's Day Fire. Tune in to the show to hear the conversation!

This upcoming week, our JLN Distance Learning Critical Conversation will continue to be lead by former Chief Nick Delia, and include special guest: Fire Chief, Reggie Freeman .  Listen in as we talk differences in leadership, strategies and factors you may not have thought of.

On this episode of Critical Conversations, Nick DeLia is talking The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, with special guests: Chief Ron Kanterman, Honor Guard - Captain Tony Ruggiero, Escorts - Chief Matthew Tobia, Survivor FF Tim Jeffery. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit F...