The Professional Brotherhood™

On this weeks episode Brian and Kara discuss volunteer fire department elections, election requirements and why we should be electing the best person for the job (based on knowledge, skills and ability) vs. the most liked person for the job ( aka everyones friend).  About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill F...

On today's mutual aid episode Brian discusses "effort"  and how if we only put minimal effort into any task (or life in general) we should only expect and will only achieve minimal results.  About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, New York (100% Volunteer) and a P...

On today's episode Brian and Kara sit down with Tim Ahern of Ahern, Murphy and Associates to discuss leadership, officer development, company pride and common challenges within our organizations.   This episode contains an in depth discussion on the "Five Verbs of Leadership" and how we can use this philosophy to improve ourselves and our agency. Model the Way Inspire a Shared Visio...

On today's episode Ryan Pennington from Jumpseat Radio (@jumpseatviews) joins Chief Soller for a last minute/spur of the moment conversation.  Ryan and Brian talk, company pride, morale, being prepared to go to work and adapting during the COVID pandemic. About Our Guest: Ryan Pennington is a Captain/Paramedic for the Charleston Fire Department in Charleston West Virginia. He is currently ass...

It’s that time of year! Time to elect that new slate of officers at the firehouse. Are you electing your officers for the right reasons, or is it a popularity contest? On today’s episode Brian discusses the highs and lows of election season at a volunteer fire department. About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock...

On today's episode Brian and Kara welcome Ian Palmer from Thin Line Fitness to continue the discussion of fitness and the fire service. About Thin Line Fitness (@thinlinefitness): Thin Line Fitness was started in 2017. It started as a vision, though, many years ago. Ian was tired of seeing the rapid increase of cardiac and medical related LODD's across the field of first responders, as w...

*LISTENER REQUEST* "Comparison is the thief of joy!" On today's mutual aid episode, Brian discusses "comparison" in the volunteer fire service and how at times, it can relate to our inability to "get along". About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock H...

In this episode Brian and Kara discuss training as it relates to the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, New York (100% Volunteer) and a Past Chief of the Monticello Fire Department in Monticello, NY (Combination).  Brian...

*Listener Request* On todays episode Brian reviews some basic SCBA/Air Consumption drills that can provide valuable information for our firefighters and fire department leaders.  About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department (100% Volunteer / Sullivan County, NY) and a Past Chief of the Monticello Fire...

Did you think that your only path to landing your dream job as a firefighter is via the Civil Service test?  This episode will open your eyes to some "Outside the Box", Non-Traditional Pathways to a career in Fire Protection. Today's guest is Thad Mapledoram, Fire Chief at the United States Coast Guard Air Station in Port Angeles, Washington.  Chief Mapledoram is a third generation...

On today’s episode Kara takes over "The Professional Brotherhood" to discuss fire prevention options in 2020.  This has been a year of firsts for many of us and COVID-19 has forced us to get creative in many different ways. On today's mutual aid, Kara will give you some ideas regarding how to continue your fire prevention program during these challenging times. Listen in and as alwa...

On today's episode Brian and Kara speak with Lex Shady.  Lex is a firefighter in Central Ohio where she has served for two years career and four years as a volunteer.  She created a blog entitled "The Shady Firefighter" which she started as a way to help keep herself accountable.  Lex has a passion for building construction as well as sharing her knowledge with her fellow firefighte...

The most common questions that we receive revolve around "recruitment and retention".  While there are countless discussions we can have and many ideas we can toss around regarding the topic, sometimes the simplest of ideas and changes can have an amazing  affect on your organization. "Is your organization friendly?" About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer fir...

On today's episode we have an open discussion about the volunteer fire service with PJ Covert.  PJ is a 4th generation firefighter, beginning his volunteer career in 2001 with Sea Bright Fire/Rescue where he continues to serve today. PJ has served Sea Bright as a Lieutenant, Safety Officer and Training Officer. About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years...

Listener Request! In this episode we discuss common obstacles for volunteer firefighters when they make the transition from firefighter to fire officer. How to interact with your immediate peer groups? Will they respect you in your new position? How to interact with the senior men/women? About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently Chief o...

On today's episode we are joined by Tara from FLAME DECON.  Tara is a U.S. Navy Veteran, Fire Sister, and the Founder/CEO of FLAME. FLAME was created when Tara realized that firefighters didn’t have anything that was specifically designed to remove the toxins from their hair and scalp after a fire incident. FLAMES mission is to create hair and body care decontamination solutions that help you...

The title speaks for itself!  Sure, we are all valuable to our respective organizations, but none of us are bigger than our organization or the fire service.  Whether you realize it or not, your organization will find a way to move on without you.    About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department (100%...

On today's episode we are joined by Firefighter Joe McLaughlin.  Joe is a 19 year-old Interior firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder who has been in the fire service for just over three years. He’s currently serving in the United States Air Force. Joe shares his experiences of being an "age-restricted" member of the fire service, the importance of mentorship and how it played...

This episode is dedicated to the men and women that lost their lives on 9-11-2001 as well as those that have lost their lives or continue to battle the effects of 9-11 related illnesses. We must NEVER FORGET!  About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department (100% Volunteer / Sullivan County, NY) and a Pa...

Due to some amazing feedback from our episode entitled, "All Jacked Up", Dr. Michelle Kent is back to discuss healthy alternatives to energy drinks.  We will be also be posting a reference document on our blog, which is located on our website professionalbrotherhood.com. We hope that you find this helpful.  About our Guest: Dr. Michelle Kent is passionate about working with first respond...

In today's episode Brian discusses how we view others.  Whether it's an individual or an organization are we being judgmental or are we jealous? When we see someone that's squared away and doing things the right way or an organization that is doing things right, what's our reaction? Just because someone is confident in their knowledge, skills and abilities does not mean that th...

In today's episode Brian discusses "Mutual Aid" and why it's extremely important for us to utilize the resources around us and know what resources are available.  As volunteers, we count on other agencies to assist us when responding to certain types of incidents. We can't be proficient at everything we encounter. Know your area, know your resources, know the resources of...

First responders chronically use energy drinks to power through their shifts, but what are the consequences? Are there any benefits? In this episode Brandon Heggie (@bdheggie3) and Dr. Michelle Kent (@dr_michellekent) will help you to understand the various chemicals associated with energy drinks, how the body reacts to those chemicals, the difference between safe and toxic levels of ingestion and...

In today's episode Brian discusses taking responsibility for the decisions that we make.  If you have yet to listen to Episode 044, you may want to listen in on that one first. The bottom line my friends, is that we all have to make decisions.  Some of those decisions are NOT easy, but we made them and we need to take responsibility.  DON'T BLAME OTHERS!  About our host:   Chief Brian So...

ProVFF Training Solutions,  is proud to sponsor the launch of Season II of "The Professional Brotherhood" (formally known as The Professional Volunteer) podcast.  In this episode, Brian is joined by John Sahatjian (@jerseyshoreemergencytraining) and Kara McDaniels (@st.florianfitness) to kick off the newest season of the show.   About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer f...