In this conversation, Matt Tobia, the current Fire Chief of the Harrisonburg Fire Department discusses his journey in the emergency services and involvement in the National Advisory Committee for OSHA. He talks about the proposed draft regulations for firefighter safety and the importance of managing expectations. Matt also shares his experience in the combination fire service and the challenges and benefits it brings. He emphasizes the need for professionalism and the importance of service to the community. He shares his favorite thing about working in Anne Arundel County, the beautiful coastline. He also talks about the importance of mentorship and the valuable lessons he learned from experienced firefighters.

Michael and Matt discuss their early days in the fire service and the impact of mentorship on their careers. They also talk about the National Fire Academy and the value of networking and camaraderie. Matt shares the biggest lesson he learned from the EFO program, which is that there is no honor in fighting a fire that could have been prevented. The conversation in this part covers topics such as the importance of taking care of oneself as a leader, the impact of transitional attack in firefighting, the key takeaways from the EFO program, the thrill of helping people, the challenges of fire prevention laws, and the role of family escorts in supporting the families of fallen firefighters.

The conversation covers various topics related to mental health and leadership in the fire service. The hosts discuss the importance of reaching out for help and supporting one another. They also talk about the work being done in national committees to address mental health issues in the fire service. The conversation concludes by discussing the responsibilities and challenges of being a Fire Chief.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:26

Introducing Matt Tobia

06:24

Overview of NACOSH and the 1910-156 Standard

10:09

Matt Tobia's Role in NACOSH

19:38

Matt Tobia's Journey in the Fire Service

25:57

Transition to the Combination Fire Service

33:04

Pros and Cons of the Combination Fire Service

37:18

Volunteers and Paramedics in Anne Arundel County

39:21

The Beauty of Anne Arundel County's Coastline

41:13

The Value of Mentorship in the Fire Service

46:15

Learning to Be Water

52:14

The National Fire Academy and Networking

59:18

The EFO Program and the Importance of Fire Prevention

01:04:10

No Honor in Fighting Preventable Fires

01:15:25

Self-Care and Leadership

01:18:19

The Thrill of Helping People

01:22:35

The Role of Family Escorts

01:58:33

The Power of Leaving a Lasting Impression

02:02:48

National Committees Addressing Mental Health in the Fire Service

02:05:44

The Responsibilities and Challenges of Being a Fire Chief

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.

Larry Borodkin, Vice President at PRADCO, discusses their work in assessing and coaching executives, managers, and key individual contributors in the public safety sector. PRADCO specializes in pre-employment and promotional assessment, management development, and executive coaching. They work with fire departments, police departments, regional dispatch centers, hospitals, universities, and other safety forces. Larry explains how they use psychological assessments to evaluate candidates and identify their strengths and weaknesses. He also discusses the importance of assessing soft skills. intangible characteristics, and technical skills.

In this part of the conversation, Larry Borodkin discusses the unique characteristics of the public safety model and the differences between hiring for public safety roles and other industries. He also talks about the importance of individualized coaching and the need to understand and motivate each person based on their specific needs. Larry emphasizes the value of listening and relating to subordinates and shares a book recommendation on being a learner rather than a judger. In this conversation, Larry Borodkin discusses the importance of leadership in public safety agencies and the role of mentorship in developing effective leaders.

He emphasizes the need for leaders to focus on their people's success and gain satisfaction from their achievements. Larry also highlights the shift in leadership mentality from command and control to a focus on developing and supporting the people in the organization. He shares insights on the promotional assessment process and the importance of assessing leadership traits rather than just technical skills. Larry concludes by emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and the need for leaders to get the best out of their people.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

01:09

Overview of PRADCO and Their Work

09:23

Approach to Working with Departments

15:32

Importance of Comprehensive Assessments

31:14

Larry's PhD Research on Validity Generalization

37:26

Choosing to Work with Safety Forces

38:25

Training and Qualifications for Psychological Assessments

38:35

The Unique Characteristics of the Public Safety Model

40:43

Individualized Coaching for Public Safety Personnel

45:09

Motivating Individuals in Public Safety

50:51

Being a Learner vs. a Judger

01:05:24

The Importance of Listening and Relating to Subordinates

01:19:09

Focusing on the Success of Your People

01:21:07

The Shift in Leadership Mentality

01:24:11

Assessing Leadership Traits in Promotional Assessments

01:26:08

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

01:41:21

The Role of Mentorship in Public Safety Agencies

Gina DeVito-Staub shares her journey in the fire service, starting as a part-time volunteer in 1994 and eventually becoming a full-time firefighter and fire inspector. While working as an athletic trainer, the fire department recruited her despite her initial lack of interest in firefighting.

Gina turned down a medical career to pursue her passion for the fire service. She emphasizes the importance of being kind to everyone and building relationships within the department. Gina also highlights the benefits of working in fire prevention and her challenges as a female firefighter. Gina emphasizes the value of learning by doing and seeking opportunities for growth and mentorship. She reflects on the importance of gaining experience and knowledge from others in the fire service and the impact of company officers on the department.

Gina also highlights the benefits of the Explorer program in recruiting and retaining future firefighters. Gina DeVito-Staub shares her experience as a shift commander and the challenges she faced in managing different-sized departments. She emphasizes the importance of caring for the community and utilizing resources to get the job done.

Gina also discusses the impact of organizational culture on mental health and the need for open conversations and support. She highlights the valuable lessons she learned from the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program, including the realization that the department's size doesn't determine the challenges faced.

Gina also talks about her role as a part-time fire chief in Woodmere and the process of building a new department. She emphasizes the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fire service and the importance of mutual respect. Gina shares her biggest professional accomplishments: mentoring and seeing her students succeed. She also discusses her future goals, including promoting diversity in the fire service.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor

11:02 Choosing the Fire Service over a Medical Career

35:48 The Value of Networking and Managing People

46:34 The Impact of Company Officers

59:30 The Benefits of the Explorer Program

01:35:04 Navigating Challenges as a Shift Commander

Lisa Miller, the law director for the City of Barberton, Ohio discusses her role and experiences in this Mentors on Fire podcast episode. She explains that as the law director, she serves as the chief legal advisor for the city and also acts as a prosecutor for the Barberton municipal court. She also talks about running for elected office and the challenges of campaigning. She expresses her love for her current law director job and the various legal issues she deals with daily. Lisa Miller discusses various high-profile cases she has worked on, including murder and arson cases.

Lisa shares her journey to becoming a lawyer, starting with taking a business law class in college and excelling in it. She discusses her experience in law school and how she prepared for the LSAT. Lisa also talks about the different career paths available to law school graduates and the changing landscape of the legal profession. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and work-life balance for young professionals. Lisa reflects on her mentors and the lessons she learned from positive and negative experiences. The conversation in this part focused on the role of the law director and the differences between elected and appointed law directors.

Lisa talks about her time as the president of the Akron Bar Association and the various services provided by the association. The conversation touched on the graying and shrinking of the legal profession in rural areas and the need to encourage young lawyers to serve in those areas. She also talks about her involvement in Leadership Akron, a leadership organization that helps established leaders contribute to their community. Finally, she shares her pride in her 33-year marriage and the lessons she teaches young women about the importance of wanting, not needing, a partner. Lisa concludes by expressing her gratitude for her career and the opportunities it has provided.

In this episode, the guest, Fire Chief Gary Ryan, shares his experience at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and the friendships he formed during his time there. He discusses the challenges and rewards of the EFO program and the importance of networking and maintaining connections with classmates. Gary also provides an overview of the Chelmsford Fire Department, including its size, staffing, and recent changes. Fire Chief Gary Ryan discusses staffing and compliance with two-in-two-out regulations, the importance of data-driven decision-making, response times and call data analysis, and the transition to electric vehicles.

Chief Ryan also shares his path to the fire service and his education and training journey. Chief Ryan shares valuable insights and experiences from his career as a fire chief. He emphasizes the importance of mentors and the willingness to learn and avail oneself of opportunities. Gary also highlights the significance of interviewing skills and the need to attack issues rather than individuals. He discusses the lessons learned from navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gary concludes by reflecting on his most significant professional accomplishment, successfully leading his department through the challenges of COVID-19.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

01:07

Guest Introduction

04:16

Forming Friendships at EFO

04:46

Favorite Year at EFO

06:37

Formation of Friendships at EFO

07:18

Maintaining Connections with EFO Classmates

08:17

Importance of Networking and Relationships

12:14

Impact of EFO Graduates on Chelmsford Fire Department

13:18

Transition to Fire Chief Role

15:11

Chelmsford Fire Department Overview

24:15

Challenges and Lessons Learned in Fire Service

27:43

Composition of Fire Study Committee

28:07

Reasons for Fire Study Committee Formation

31:06

Staffing and Compliance with Two-In, Two-Out

32:37

Opportunity for Reshaping the Department

33:11

Data-Driven Decision Making

34:07

Response Times and Call Analysis

36:14

Impact of Aging Population on Calls

38:27

Collaboration with Other Agencies

39:26

Transition to Electric Vehicles

46:24

Questions about Electric Vehicles

49:32

Path to the Fire Service

55:17

Joining the Fire Department

57:46

Education and Training

01:04:13

Challenges of Fighting Fires in Cold Weather

01:05:27

Firefighting in Buildings with Basements

01:06:47

Transition to Fire Prevention

01:07:15

Becoming Deputy Chief and Fire Prevention Officer

01:13:30

Interacting with Other Agencies in Fire Prevention

01:20:21

Importance of Code Enforcement Records

01:21:30

The Value of an MBA in the Fire Service

01:34:42

Formal and Informal Mentoring in the Department

01:38:09

The Impact of Mentorship on Decision-Making

01:43:10

The Importance of Mentors

01:44:19

The Value of Learning and Availing Opportunities

01:45:21

Putting Pride Aside and Learning on the Job

01:48:13

The Lesson of Patience and Persistence

01:50:44

The Advice to Learn Your Job and Know Your Community

01:52:27

Attacking the Issue, Not the Person

01:54:05

Lessons Learned from Navigating Through COVID-19

01:57:44

Reflecting on a Do-Over Moment

02:00:51

The Accomplishment of Navigating Through COVID-19