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