The Professional Brotherhood™

Why do some leaders surround themselves with people who won't challenge them? In Episode 145, we explore the insecurity that can creep into leadership positions and how fear of being outshined can hold back individuals, teams, and entire organizations. True leaders don't fear strong people around them. They develop them. Brian Soller has been an active volunteer firefighter for the last...

No, it's not the LAST episode.  It's the LOST episode! Originally recorded on Instagram live on November 18th, 2024; on this episode Kara and Brian discuss standards, consolidation and self reflection.  In typical social media fashion, IG cut of off at one hour, hence the sudden ending!  Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of t...

What type of firefighter / leader do you want to be? When it's all over, how do you want to be remembered? Let's end 2024 with an bang and set some personal goals for 2025. Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sulliva...

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002. Soller has also...

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002. Soller has also...

About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as  chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002...

On todays mutual aid episode we are joined by Rock Hill brothers,  Asst. Chief Edward Walsh and Firefighter Chris Filosa of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, NY.  We will discuss a recent close call, where Chris fell through the floor upon entering a residential structure fire.  We touch on size-up, situational awareness, burn time prior to arrival, building construction, complacency and...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Lt. John Clarke from the Cazenovia Fire Department. After dedicating a few years to service, John temporarily stepped back to prioritize his family. Now, we delve into his journey as he decided to resume volunteering when the timing was right.  About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as...

Elections, fitness choices, PPE, facial hair and alcohol.  Simply put, sometimes we are our own worst enemy!  About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of t...

When you're listening to our show, do you find yourself taking things personally?  Do you wonder if we are talking about you? On todays episode Brian discusses those that seem to get offended by the content that they are listened too.  Those that get pissed off and take things personally? Well my friends, if the shoe fits! About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the las...

Are you a fire service leader?  Are you out there sharing a message?  Are you talking the talk? On todays episode Brian discusses those that seem to have mastered the art of "talking the talk", but when it comes down to it, their NOT "walking the walk". About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of...

About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002. Soll...

About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 18 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002. Soll...

Kara and Brian talk about Kara’s career as a Fire Life Safety Educator and Juvenile Fire setter Intervention Specialist, the community risk reduction programs she creates and the need for all departments to consider community risk reduction as an integral part of the services they offer. About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assi...

Simple stated, do we appreciate our firefighters?   Do we let them know that they are appreciated? About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 18 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hil...

Are we being hijacked by imposters within the fire service?  Who are the leaders that are advocating for change and inspiring the future leaders of the fire service? We can't be hijacked by volunteers that think they know the job, but have never actually done the job!  How are you guaranteeing the future success of your organization?    About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunte...

On today's episode Kara dives into the different types of leadership styles and how to work with leaders that fall into each category.   About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 18 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. ...

"Word of Mouth!"   Probably one of the best tools that we have in our recruitment tool box, but for some reason, rarely used!   About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 18 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soll...

On today's episode Brian discusses "passion" and the volunteer fire service.  Tune in and share your thoughts!  About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also ser...

Prior to working with and on behalf of first responders, Dee racked up close to 20 years as a marketing professional, specializing in integrated “Experiential” programming (interactive experiences between brands and their consumers), working with clients like PepsiCo, UFC, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, BlackBerry, Ford and Reebok. Following her agency years, Dee launched a consulting ‘co...

On todays episode we are joined by Mike France and Bill Purcell from MacBoston 18 Truck. Mike has been a volunteer firefighter for 33 years, is a past chief (2x) and has been an active member fo MacBoston for the last 10 years.  He has been MacBoston's president for the last six. Bill has been a volunteer firefighter for the last 19 years (across three states), is a New York State fire instru...

About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002. Soll...

**Listener Request** Aaron, who's a volunteer firefighter in the mid-west emailed us and asked the following: "I've decided to throw my name in the hat this year and run for line office.  My friends, who all seemed very supportive in the beginning now seem like they are turning on me in support of the other guy.  What should I do?"  Listen in as Brian gives his thoughts on this...

Fire Prevention Week is here! This week Kara discusses thinking beyond “Dalmatian Education” and how fire prevention is the “Unseen Grab” in firefighting. Be aggressive with ALL your tactics, including community risk reduction. About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past...

You're a volunteer firefighter and you have goals, but sometimes you think that those goals are only achievable if you're "on the job".  You have heard us say it before, NOBODY CARES if you're career or volunteer, so why are you letting your volunteer status hold you back. Got goals? Awesome! Get out there and GO FOR IT! About our hosts: Brian Soller has been an active vol...