Don't Risk It! Podcast

The Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be back soon with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Distracted driving is a significant factor in vehicle accidents and emergency services organizations (ESOs) are not immune to these incidents. Historical...

Situational awareness is a person's ability to perceive and understand what is happening in the environment around them, while accurately predicting what will happen next - a critical skill for firefighters and emergency responders. Dr. Rich Gasaway is widely considered one of the nation's leading authorities on human error, situational awareness and high-risk decision-making processes. He has als...

Implicit and explicit biases can greatly impact the culture of an emergency service organization, as well as how responders react to their environments in the field. This week, Director of VFIS Training Programs, Rick Gurba joins the podcast to discuss suggestions on how to manage personal differences while avoiding behaviors that divide personnel within the workplace.

Following up from our previous episode, we continue our discussion on the prevalence of cancer within the fire service. We welcome Fire Chief Jake Williams, Deputy Fire Marshall Travis McGaha and Training Chief Joshua Simpson from Concord Fire Department of North Carolina and ask them about their decontamination program and procedures.

Research has shown that firefighters have a higher risk of developing cancer. Why is this happening and how can fire departments help protect their volunteer and career first responders? Keith Brandstedter, President of Glatfelter Specialty Benefits, joins the podcast this week to discuss this important issue firefighters face.

Wildland fires have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years. Taking steps to prepare for these events before they occur can help limit the devastation. Deputy Chief J.R. Fox of Campbell County Fire Department in Wyoming joins the podcast to discuss what his department does to plan and prepare for the wildland fire season.

Communication is the most helpful thing an ESO can give to an Emergency Call Center (ECC). As a public safety answering point (PSAP), 911 call centers are a unit of first response, dispatching to multiple ESOs under various sets of operating agreements. Mark J. Boudreaux, Executive Director of Terrebonne Parish Communications District, joins us to talk about 911 centers, their role in emergency re...

First responders are accustomed to the bright lights and loud noises associated with an emergency scene, but for individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), these sights and sounds can be debilitating. Saranika Griffith from Lancaster EMS joins the program to talk about sensory bags, developed in partnership with Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, and how they can be used by respo...

Recent changes in payment policy have driven changes in EMS organizations, allowing for the integration of telemedicine. In this episode, Matt Zavadsky from Medstar in Fort Worth, TX joins us to talk about the rapid expansion of telemedicine in emergency medical services and how his organization has integrated this technology into their response operations, including platform selection, patient cr...

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) are the foundation of an ESO's safety culture. Without them, employees can only guess what leadership expects of them. In this roundtable discussion with members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team, we talk about how SOGs play a role in a positive safety culture when it comes to driver selection and training, and why it's important to have SOGs in front of e...

Intersections are responsible for the majority of accidents involving emergency vehicles. This week on the program we discuss best practices when it comes to training, policies and procedures concerning emergency response and intersections. Our guests for this week are Mike Baker, Director of VFIS Client Risk Solutions and Blair Tyndall, Emergency Services Specialist.

Roadside safety starts with education. In this episode, we talk about responders being struck on roadways. Tim Hayes, former medic and CEO of Medic Tim Hayes Ministries, leads us with his inspiring story and powerful message about highway incident response and offers suggestions on how to improve roadside safety through education. Todd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator for the Pennsyl...

First responders regularly deal with intense and emotional situations where the people they are serving may be angry or in crisis. Law enforcement professional and adjunct professor Ben Iobst joins us to discuss effective techniques for verbal de-escalation and the significance of having an effective psychological and experienced based skillset for responding to others in a crisis situation. Ben I...

It's been one year since the launch of the Don't Risk It! podcast, and to help commemorate this important milestone, we're revisiting some of the most popular and relevant episodes. Emergency service organizations operate a wide range of vehicles in terms of size, weight, and operating abilities. In this discussion with Jackie Ireland of VFIS of NC, we talk about how vehicle dynamics contribute to...

It's been one year since the launch of the Don't Risk It! podcast, and to help commemorate this important milestone, we're revisiting some of the most popular and relevant episodes. Emergency vehicle drivers have in their care, custody and control most of the major assets possessed by an organization: the vehicle, portable equipment and personnel. With so much, literally riding in their hands, all...

It's been one year since the launch of the Don't Risk It! podcast, and to help commemorate this important milestone, we're revisiting some of the most popular and relevant episodes. Most volunteer emergency service departments rely heavily on the ability of their members to respond to calls, either to the scene or the station, in their personal vehicles. While this is essential to the organization...

Did you know, a large number of Glatfelter associates are actively involved or have previously served in leadership roles in Emergency Service Organizations? This profoundly shapes the organization's culture and is just one of the unique benefits that comes with a VFIS insurance policy. In this episode, VFIS Sales Regional V.P. Dan Naylor joins us to discuss some of the value-added services VFIS p...

In today's society, your reputation can be destroyed at the speed of light. Dave Statter from Statter 911 Communications joins the program to discuss the significance of ESO relationships with the media and the effects of building reputational equity through communication with standard media outlets. For more information from Dave Statter, visit the Statter 911 Communications website at www.statte...

The use of drones, in emergency services imposes the need for ESOs to have a structured UAS program in place; but, what does that look like for the department?  In this follow-up conversation about drone use in emergency services, Deputy Chief Scott Hamblen from Northwest Fire District in Tucson, AZ shares details of his agency's UAS operations, including its flight certification process, SOGs and...

A responder's health can impact the safety of other crew members, agency resources, and civilians. Medical evaluations can help ESOs protect their members by intercepting potential health issues and preventing future illness. Scott Cain joins the program to discuss these benefits and others of adopting a medical evaluation program, as well as some key components to include.  Additional resources o...

Emergency service organizations operate a wide range of vehicles in terms of size, weight, and operating abilities. In this discussion with Jackie Ireland of VFIS of NC, we talk about how vehicle dynamics contribute to rollover incidents along with some prevention strategies to help departments reduce this risk.

Portable equipment is essential in fire and EMS response but these vital pieces of equipment are often damaged in the course of providing emergency services. In this episode, Chris Bardsley shares some of the trends he's observed while working in property claims, as well as a first responder and provides some strategies to help protect portable equipment and mitigate potential loss situations.

As changes occur within an ESO and in the community, departments may need to make adjustments that often require additional resources or funding. Maintaining a positive working relationship with local government officials helps to ensure the needs of the ESO are met. Jerry Ozog joins the program to discuss how to effectively work with government leaders in support of the ESO's mission. Additional...

Maintaining a positive culture throughout an ESO must include building a culture of safety within the agency. Rick Edinger joins us to discuss how organizational culture impacts the health and safety of ESO members. We'll also discuss best practices for steering the culture of your ESO towards a producing a more positive and safer environment. Additional resources on this topic can be found at Res...

Critical incident stress can have a lasting effect on emergency responders; yet, the stigma surrounding mental illness often interferes with seeking help. Dr. Kathy Jansen discusses potential solutions to help manage traumatic situations when they arise and tools to consider when integrating a critical incident stress management program into your organization. Additional resources on this topic ca...