In this episode of the Mentors on Fire podcast, host Michael Allora interviews Steven Conn, a Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Fairfield, Ohio. They discuss Steven's journey from being a volunteer firefighter to becoming a critical care registered nurse and, eventually, a full-time firefighter. They also discuss topics such as organizational culture, mentoring, and the history of the Cincinnati Fire Department. Steven shares his experiences and insights into the fire service and the importance of mentorship in the field.

Steven Conn discusses his experience developing a fire department and the challenges in navigating the organizational culture. He talks about the resistance to change and the need for relaxation time for firefighters. He also shares his experience in liking the opportunities and potential for growth in the department, wanting to change the micromanagement, and lacking recognition for a job well done. He discusses his involvement in leadership programs and initiatives to promote positivity and recognition within the department. The conversation also touches on the Cincinnati Mayday incident and Conn's experience of falling through the floor during a fire.

The conversation explores the aftermath of a traumatic incident and the lack of support and acknowledgment within the fire service. It delves into the concept of moral injury and its impact on individuals. Conn and Allora discuss their own experiences with mental health struggles and suicidal ideation. They emphasize the importance of checking in on each other and providing support. The conversation also discusses the need for debriefing and addressing traumatic incidents within the fire service. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for better mental health support and awareness within the profession.

In this final part of the conversation, Steven Conn and Michael Allora discusses the heavy burden of being a mentor and the importance of listening and acknowledging the struggles of others. They share personal stories of individuals who have experienced mental health challenges and the impact it had on them. They also talk about the role of mentorship in shaping their careers and the satisfaction of caring for their people. Steven reflects on his career and the positive changes he has witnessed in his new department. The conversation ends with advice for younger professionals to follow their hearts and focus on helping others.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:13

Focus on Firefighter Mental Health and Suicide Epidemic

05:12

Volunteer Firefighting and Paramedic Training

08:57

Transition to Nursing and Meeting Steven's Wife

15:01

Settling in Coleraine Township Fire Department

23:48

History of the Cincinnati Fire Department

27:28

Steven's Career in Coleraine Township Fire Department

35:12

Training and Organizational Culture in the Fire Service

36:57

Navigating Organizational Culture

38:40

The Importance of Relaxation Time

43:19

Overcoming Micromanagement

48:19

Promoting Recognition and Positivity

55:17

The Impact of Personal Experiences

01:15:00

The Impact of Trauma and Lack of Support

01:23:13

Moral Injury and Mental Health Struggles

01:30:01

The Importance of Checking In and Providing Support

01:46:29

Addressing Traumatic Incidents and Promoting Mental Health Awareness

01:52:41

The Heavy Burden of Being a Mentor

01:55:58

The Impact of Mental Health Challenges

02:28:08

Follow Your Heart and Help Others

Joe Coffey discusses his background in corrections and the challenges and dangers of working in a prison environment. He highlights the importance of effective communication skills and the camaraderie among correctional officers. Joe also talks about the impact of working in corrections on mental health and the prevalence of mental illness in the prison population.

He shares his perspective on private prisons and the differences between private and public prisons. Joe concludes by explaining his decision to transition from corrections to law enforcement. Joe Coffey discusses his experiences in the police department, including his time as a captain and his involvement in mental health initiatives.

He shares stories about the challenges of working in a private prison, the impact of the Station Nightclub fire, and his connection to mental health issues. Joe emphasizes the importance of treating the most vulnerable members of society with compassion and highlights the need for better training and support for officers dealing with mental health crises.

In this final part of the conversation, Joe Coffey discusses He shares his experiences developing and implementing mental health training programs and the importance of mental health training for police officers. He also talks about his passion for antiques and woodworking and his goals for the future, and he offers advice to his younger self. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about sports and hobbies.

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

03:02

Rhode Island and Roger Williams University

06:18

Family Life and Upbringing

10:34

Transitioning from High School to Army and Reserves

14:12

Transitioning from Army to College

23:38

Private Prisons vs. Public Prisons

28:11

Meeting Good People in a Bad Situation

39:08

Transitioning from Corrections to Law Enforcement

52:29

Career Progression in the Police Department

01:03:38

The Impact of the Station Nightclub Fire

01:08:47

Focus on Mental Health and Training

01:19:02

The Role of Peer Recovery in Mental Health

01:21:17

Transitioning to the Mental Health Field

01:26:22

Creating Realistic Training Scenarios

01:28:16

The Challenges of Mental Health Calls

01:31:36

Dealing with Extreme Situations

01:36:25

Finding Joy and Fulfillment in Hobbies and Activities

01:39:38

Appreciating Antiques and Woodworking

01:42:34

The Value of Volunteering and Giving Back

01:46:11

Reflecting on Past Challenges and Experiences

01:50:28

Building Resilience and Personal Growth

01:54:55

Nurturing Positive Relationships for a Balanced Life

In this episode, Michael Allora interviews Joseph Verderosa, his best friend and mentor. Joseph shares his journey from joining the Navy in 1974 to his career in the Clifton Fire Department. He discusses his motivation for joining the Navy, his experiences in the military, and the highlights of his active service. Joseph also talks about his transition to the Clifton Fire Department and his challenges during his training.

The conversation touches on topics such as the Navy Reserves, the fire department's role in Clifton, and Joseph's involvement in Naval Special Warfare Unit 2. Joseph Verderosa discusses his experiences during his deployment and his role as a career counselor in the Navy. He talks about the impact of being involved with Naval Special Warfare and the lessons he learned as a chief petty officer. The conversation also touches on his transition from a Boiler Technician to a Machinist Mate and his time in the fire department.

Overall, Joseph emphasizes the importance of leadership, taking care of your people, and doing the right thing. This part of the conversation focuses on the impact of mentorship and the importance of seizing opportunities. It also covers the experience of studying for promotions together and the success of their study group. The conversation then shifts to Joseph's role as a training officer and the positive changes he implemented in the fire department. They discuss the firefighter survival program and the training they conducted.

The conversation concludes with their reflections on the events of 9/11 and the personal connections they had to the tragedy. During this part of the conversation, Joseph Verderosa and Michael Allora discuss their experiences after 9/11, including attending funerals and comforting families. They also talk about their participation in the Tunnel to Towers event and their time working together in the training division. Verderosa reflects on his role as the training officer and his satisfaction with seeing the progression of firefighters and fire officers. They also discuss Verderosa's time as the fire chief and the challenges he faced, including layoffs and political pressures. Verderosa highlights implementing a fair overtime policy as one of his significant accomplishments.

He ultimately decided to retire due to the job's toll on him. In this final part of the conversation, Michael and Joseph reflect on their experiences in the fire department and their impact on each other's lives. They discuss the importance of accountability and implementing an accountability system in the fire department.

Joseph also shares his decision to return as an administrative analyst after retiring and his challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They express their gratitude for each other's support and the role they played in each other's careers. The conversation ends with a discussion of the significance of family and their love for each other.