If you have been or still are a firefighter and you have a few years (or more) under your belt, you have probably had a couple of “workers” that gave you a bit more than an east knockdown.

Initially then, the title of Brad’s book is somewhat incomplete. For the full title of his new book is, “The Flames of Fire – Firefighting Amidst the Explosions!” A bit more intriguing than the first look. Brad has done it all, from being a 17-year-old “probie” to an officer, an instructor and a Fire Inspector. Some of the stories he shares with us will generate the “pucker factor,” no matter how much experience you have. 

We also discuss to of the greatest leaders/teachers in the Fire Service, the late Chief Alan V. Brunacini or “Chief Bruno” as he loved to be called and, the late Chief Bobby Halton. We discuss the philosophies about this job that they both loved and how their simple explanations and recommendations of how we should interact with our victims, made everyone who listened and functioned as they posited, made so many incidents just a little less scary and at the same time, made us better firefighters, career, volunteer, paid-on-call or WUI.

You will find the video versions of our podcasts on our YouTube® Channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp.” And our audio version can be found on our homepage of www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org or your favorite podcast platform.

And please don’t forget to leave a brief review on your podcast platform page for “5-Alarm Task Force!” and 5-Alarm Task Force Corp. on YouTube®.

Stay Safe & Stay Well and Let’s Make Sure Everyone Goes Home!

There is no doubt that Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson has had a well-experienced path in the fire service, starting as a 15-year-old “water boy” and “hanger-on” to learn as much about firefighting as possible. It wasn’t long before Jacob was climbing the department’s “ladder,” through the Katy Fire Department for approximately seven years. 

Then, the Pearland Fire Dept. started its “Growth Spurt” and Jacob decided that it was a place where one can learn, practice and drill to become a better firefighter and eventually, an officer. And after nearly 18 years, he was recently appointed as the Assistant Chief for Administrative Services with the Pearland Fire Dept. 

In our recent interview, Jacob and I discussed the multi-personnel “MAYDAY” occurrence in October 2023 at a working structure fire. One firefighter was severely injured, yet his colleagues rescued him in the nick of time. If you have or have not had a multi-faceted LODI or LODD in your department or even under your command, Chief Johnson shares insights that we all can learn and perhaps, even save a life with what you see/hear when you watch/listen.

Finally, the Pearland Fire Department has remained above many others by the targeted membership campaign the Department uses. As our mutual friend, Chief Tony Correia teaches, “It should be called “Retention & Recruitment!” Why? Because if we cannot keep our current members, how can we expect to attract new blood?” Listen as Chief Johnson shares the department’s goal to not only keep their crews they have now, but with a sixth station recently opening, to fill the shifts of various apparatus in that firehouse. As Chief Johnson teaches to his rookies, “Be a Nice Human Being.”

You will find the video versions of our podcasts on our YouTube® Channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp.” And our audio version can be found on our homepage of www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org or your favorite podcast platform.

And please don’t forget to leave a brief review on the Platform page for “5-Alarm Task Force!”

David Wiklanski is an Engine Company Captain for an urban fire department in New Jersey. He has over twenty years in Emergency Services. Wiklanski is a speaker and writer, with most of his presentations on behavioral health, in addition to Suicide Terrorism. His mission is to end the stigma associated with mental health and to connect responders with the available resources to not only survive but thrive in their careers.
 
 He has contributed articles to Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, Firehouse Tribune, and Firefighting in Canada. His first book: Suicide Bombers, Understanding Suicide Terrorism from a Cultural and Memetic perspective is available online and he is currently working on authoring his next book.
 
 Wiklanski has an MA in Behavioral Sciences-Human Behavior and Organizational Psychology from Kean University. He has been an adjunct professor at Kean University for the past 17 years. 

Wiklanski holds certifications as a Fire Instructor II, EMT Instructor, and NJ Certified Emergency Manager (NJCEM). 

 He is a Behavioral Health Specialist for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) working on projects such as the Taking Care of Our Own (TCOOO) course and the Uniformed Peer Support Program. He was recently hired as the Program Manager for the Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP), an online risk assessment tool.   

Here are a few links to the programs that we discussed. Also, if you can list my foundation email ([email protected]) for anything NFFF-related. 

Taking Care of Our Own: https://www.firehero.org/fire-service-resources/taking-care-of-our-own/

Vulnerability Assessment Program: https://firevap.org/

If you’re a firefighter and you have been on social media oh, let’s say some time around 2011, you could not help but notice the frequent posts from The Firehouse Tribune. Then, it was a couple of firefighters posting some key ideas, facts, tactics, health, etc. Recently, Nic, the founder and editor of The Firehouse Tribune has raised the level the “Tribune.” 

It began with Nic writing his first book, “The 5-Tool Firefighter.” Then, he authored a workbook to accompany the “5-Tool Firefighter, and both have been big sellers. Firefighters from all around the U.S. and a foreign country or two were buying the books and putting into their daily lives. Just a short while ago, Nic added “The 5-Tool Firefighter Podcast!”

More recently, Tom connected with Chief Tom Marchiano of the Chester Fire Department, just north of NYC. Working together they have added another popular element, “Station Talk,” manned by both Chief Marchiano and Nic.

Tune in and listen to these two “gentlemen firefighters” and their “why’s” and “wherefores’” behind The Firehouse Tribune!

We all know that many fire departments across the country, both career and volunteer are struggling with retention and recruitment. And most are looking for new ways and/or tools to assist them in this endeavor. Sure, there’s advertising in the trades, posting on social media, etc., but there doesn’t appear to be any “heart” in these efforts. It may be time to try a new method, using what almost everyone has – your cell phone!

A marketing communications professional with well over four decades of experience, Chuck Moran owns his own digital marketing firm in Charlottesville VA. In addition to building websites and managing social media for small and medium sized businesses, he launched Online Video Mastery to teach personnel in various organizations how to create compelling and professional videos with their smartphones, on-demand and in-house so that they can retain, recruit train and educate effectively. Chuck is currently focusing on assisting Public Safety departments.

In this podcast (you will) want to watch the video on our YouTube® channel, “5-Alarm Task Force Corp.”) Chuck with present a version of his, “Revolutionizing Fire & EMS Retention & Recruitment: Harnessing the Power of Smartphone Video!” at the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association’s Fire Rescue Conference in Virginia, this month.

If you have a smartphone and you want to assist your department with retention and recruitment, you will not want to miss this episode of 5-Alarm Task Force!

Mutual aid – fairly common in the fire service, right? Sure, there can be “stumbling blocks” in setting these arrangements up, such as personnel, different equipment, availability and even what might be seen as “silly” issues, like egos and a competition mindset. Lest we forget that our oath is succinct…”To protect the lives and property of our community. “ There is no mention of egos or equipment matches, etc., in the Oath, just “to protect!” No departments exemplify this truth as do the Orange County Fire Authority, Los Angeles County Fire & Rescue and Ventura County Fire Department. 

For years and years, we have watched local and national news of major wildfires in Southern California. And for years, each of these counties basically cared for their counties with help from CAL FIRE and some mutual aid.  However, that all changed in 2021 when the idea of a unified approach with a Quick Response Force took hold in these three counties. The goal was to not only attack these fires as early as possible, but to also have some of the best possible equipment available and…to be able to continue the fight into the night, when fixed-winger aerial aircraft could not fly. 

With the assistance of world-renowned of Coulson Aviation of Vancouver, BC in Canada, the counties leased refitted former military CH-47 Chinook helicopters into masterful firefighting weapons. Each helicopter can drop up to 3,000 gallons of retardant or water in one drop. Using IR goggles, they can fly in the dark of night and hit their marks. This is a game changer. Tune in to learn how and why this came about and what it takes to make it work. And though your department may not be able to grab a Chinook helo, you might learn how your department can enhance your mutual aid pacts and why it is imperative to have them today!

As the holidays are here! Please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you! 

Photo © Coulson Aviation Inc. 

Almost every industry in the U.S. has its “Trades,” that is, magazines devoted to and about that industry. The U.S./Canadian fire services are no different. There are numerous periodicals for us to choose from, one of which is the one that somewhat taught me how to be a better firefighter, even though it was a brand-new periodical back in 1977, when it was first published by FDNY firefighter, Dennis Smith – FIREHOUSE® Magazine. And I’ve rarely missed an issue in those more than 45 years. 

My guest today is Peter Matthews, who joined the FIREHOUSE team in 1999, serving both the magazine and online endeavors. Peter travels the country (and sometimes beyond) on a regular basis, enjoying a “ride-along” whenever possible. But those aren’t just for the fun of running calls rather, he uses them as an educational exercise to learn about each department he visits. 

In this episode, we discuss a lesson he gained from a car-service driver who, one may think, read one of the excellent books by the late Chief Alan Brunacini. For the driver explained how easy it is to “be nice.”  We also discuss two key issues many departments are facing, regarding retention of current personnel and recruiting new ones. This conundrum is being faced by all facets of the fire service, career, volunteer, part-pay and WUI. 

For more information, please visit www.firehouse.com 

As the holidays are fast approaching, please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you! 

Photo © and Courtesy of FIREHOUSE®

The American career Fire Service has often used basic testing and an interview of two when seeking new hires. And that may have served the need, “back in the day.” However, now into the third decade of the 21st Century, we should and need to create a new construct. Moreover, if we wish to remember that retention of current members should come before recruitment, we need a new paradigm to succeed for tomorrow!

Our returning guest, Dr. Gamaliel Baer, who holds an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California in Organizational Change and Leadership, provides us with a better, more inclusive and “whole person” perspective on improving our efforts to both retain current members and be successful with recruitment as well. 

Dr. Baer explains that the concepts of DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) should be expanded to include the mind, body and soul. Determining whether or not a recruit is a “good fit” for the department simply based on a basic civil test and a clear police record does not provide that department with all the values that a recruit brings to the table. We should also look at the person’s mind, body and soul. 

Unlike the period from the early 1900’s through the late 1980’s, when the male children of firefighters often followed in their fathers’ line of work. (Except for many terrific children who lost family members in the tragedy of 9|11). Today, that is not as common and thus, we must make stronger efforts to bring in the men and women to join our ranks. And Dr. Baer posits that a better and more complete look at our recruits could very well brings us excellent candidates who “hear the calling” and want to serve their communities. 

To read Dr. Baer’s essay on this topic, please visit: https://drgamalielbaer.substack.com/p/dei-in-the-fire-service

Please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you! 

Photo (C) & Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire Rescue/Flickr

We have all seen videos on the news or on social media of big-city fire departments doing their “thing.” Lots of apparatus and a large contingent of firefighters and support staff. It is often an amazing site and sometimes, we might get a little jealous. However, the majority of American firefighters are not in the big urban areas. Most of us serve suburban areas with mixed usage, residential, commercial, manufacturing, etc. 

My two guests on this episode are Nick Peppard and Sean Duffy. Both served a number of years in Florida, but have since moved north, with one to Michigan and the other to Wisconsin. Back in 2019 though, after each had been on “5-Alarm Task Force” as a guest, they came up with an idea for a podcast, “Make Due!” Their goal was to address the issues that suburban departments often face regarding limited equipment, personnel and high call volumes.

Their podcast is almost three years old with plenty of guests and lots of listeners. Why? Because their podcast is about who we are and what we do. Sometimes they discuss tactics. Another topic might be personnel or apparatus issues. And on another, they may simply “shoot the breeze” over the proverbial firehouse kitchen table. Either way, this is a podcast you will want to follow and listen to. Two well-experienced firefighters discussing what they love most, after their families. Moreover, they live by the motto, “Families First!

Find “Make Due” on all major podcast platforms! 

To learn more about the North FL Fire Expo, visit, www.northfloridafireexpo.com 

Please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you! 

Every profession has standouts. These are the men and women who always strive to do their best for their profession, often going beyond the average levels and striving to always be prepared and ready to bring their “A-Game!”

My guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force!” Capt. Mike Daley is, in my eyes, a consummate firefighter. If I included his bio in these show notes, you would see multiple pages! I will share that he is a nearly 30-year veteran of the fire service and an excellent instructor with the aim to see his students, no matter their time in the Fire Service, learn and exceed the “base” level of being a firefighter. He teaches to create well-learned and highly capable firefighters. 

In this episode, Capt. Daley reviews his very successful classes that he recently taught at the 2023 FIREHOUSE® Expo in Columbus OH. One class was so large that he and the students had to move to a larger room in the facility. Not unexpectedly, he received numerous kudos from the firefighters and officers who attended. 

We also discuss what he calls, “Fireground Strategies: Survivability, Suppression and Stabilization. What does he mean with these terms? Tune in and listen. Whether you are a career, volunteer or paid-on-call firefighter, you will learn from Capt. Daley in this episode. And you will be a smarter and safer firefighter. 

You can email Capt. Daley at either www.KilltheFlashover.com or email him at [email protected]. 

Please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you! 

Photo by Dalas Penner on Unsplash 

We often refer to the “trades,” the publications of fire service, for learning tactics, theories, seeing new equipment and new developments in apparatus. However, there is more to what we do than simply, “How to…”  More importantly, to do this job, we must have a strong idea of self, i.e., “Who am I?,” “How do I do this job and be there for my family?" “I’ve seen so much tragedy, how do I deal with it without looking weak?” and much more. 

Thankfully, over the last five-six years, we have seen the launch of two major developments, initially in the U.S. Fire Service and subsequently, in other countries as well, the Firefighter Cancer and the Behavioral Health Initiatives. Both are making differences. And there’s always more to learn. 

My guest on this episode is Capt. Kory Pearn, a 20-year veteran firefighter in Ontario Canada. He is also the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of CRACKYL Media, Inc., publisher of CRACKYL Magazine. Launched in 2021, CRACKYL brings a different “face” to the trades, with most of it focus on our lifestyle and the human side of being a firefighter. Many articles in each issue deal with the human side of being in this field. How to balance what we do as firefighters and how to help us to see our time out of the firehouse to be just as important and vital as what we do in it. 

If you are in the fire service as a career, volunteer, etc., we need to know how do our jobs however and, more importantly, we need to know how to have a positive view of ourselves as regular people, with families, friends and our communities. CRACKYL does that in each issue. 

Visit their website at www.crackylmag.com and/or follow them on social media @crackylmag.

Please help us to help our Brothers and Sisters in dire need! Over 90% of our disbursed funds have been donated to families of firefighters who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice. Visit us at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org. Thank you!