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The Negativity Virus in the Firehouse
How do we ensure that new firefighters are immunized the negativity virus that has infected our culture at large?
5 min read
Intermittent Fasting for First Responders: Is It Worth It?
Does fasting work in the high-stress, high-stakes world of firefighting? Megan Lautz on how such diets may impact performance.
6 min read
Next Rung: Navigating Trauma and Building Support Systems
Hosts Blake Stinnett and Charlie Brown candidly discuss the profound impact of trauma in the fire service.
3 min read
Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Firefighter-Paramedic Recruitment in the Modern Fire Service
Fire departments across the nation are grappling with recruitment challenges, and one of those may be the prohibitively expensive path to becoming a firefighter-paramedic.
8 min read
I’m here.
Fire service leaders must recognize the generation divide when it comes to communication styles and bridge it with empathy.
7 min read
Four Steps to Forging a Fire Service Team
It doesn’t matter what level of leadership you are at in the fire service—your job is to forge a team.
13 min read
Igniting Wellness: Yoga’s Crucial Role in First Responder Recovery
FireFlex Yoga has worked with thousands of first responders since 2014, and the data has shown the transformative potential of yoga in recovery.
3 min read
Finding Balance as a Volunteer Firefighter: Serve with Passion and Purpose
Finding a healthy balance between responding to calls and taking care of personal life is essential for volunteer firefighters.
7 min read
Fire Department Culture Change from the Inside Out
Tired of dealing with underachievers or toxic coworkers in your fire department? Good news—there is something you can do about it.
15 min read
Brattleboro (VT) Appoints New Fire Chief
Jay Symonds, who previously served with the Manlius (NY) Fire Department, will succeed Chief Leonard Howard, who retired late last year. Symonds will begin in his new…
Terre Haute (IN) Firefighter Takes on Weighty 5K Challenge
Kayla Lueking, who has been with THFD for only a year, is running the Vermillion Trails Alliance Victory Races 5K to raise money for Team…
Special Needs Adults Thrilled by Decatur (AL) Fire Station Tour
Firefighters turned on the emergency lights, which brought up bars of flashing red lights that danced off the sides of the garage, entertaining the group…
3 min read
Call Me a Fireman
Lex Shady weighs in on the use of the word “fireman” and its meaning for women and the fire service at large.
6 min read
What’s Your Gear Setup? Jake Sobieski
Bladensburg (MD) Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Jake Sobieski takes us through his gear: What works, what he carries on every call, and why.
1 min read
Off the Cuff: Do Something
Dealing with “exhaustion culture” at your fire department? Stephanie White has a suggestion about where to start.
4 min read
And by ‘Normal’ You Mean What?
Firefighters can become inured to the horrors they witness on the job, and may inadvertently bring some of that trauma home to their families.
5 min read
The Cost of Sleep: Why Firehouse Mattresses Matter
Our sleep is something that we sacrifice too often as firefighters. Stephanie White on the steps some departments are taking to change that.
5 min read
Jury Awards Former Baker City (OR) Firefighter $200,000
A Baker County Circuit Court jury awarded Jason Bybee, a former Baker City firefighter, $200,000 in damages in his civil lawsuit against the city.
2 min read
APS Radio: The LOS Experience
Host Jim Burneka talks with Stephanie White about “The LOS Experience” at Lucas Oil Stadium during FDIC International.
1 min read
MN Paramedic Honored for Establishing Mental Health Peer Support Network
The Minnesota Ambulance Association honored Stacy Jensen, a paramedic with M Health Fairview, for her work in helping emergency responders get the mental health support…
1 min read
The Essential Guide to Stress Management and Self-Care for First Responders
Host Ali Rothrock discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing burnout as a pressing issue.
4 min read
Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness Going Away? Understanding Trump’s Executive Order
There are steps PSLF-eligible borrowers can take now to prepare for uncertainty.
7 min read
Las Vegas Firefighters Have New Labor Deal. Here’s What’s in It
The city of Las Vegas reached a collective bargaining agreement with the union that represents fire department employees.
3 min read
Virginia Beach (VA) Fire and EMS Pay Lags Behind Other Cities, Study Says
Firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in Virginia Beach are bringing home less money than their counterparts in comparable localities.
4 min read
Town Reverses Course: Glens Falls (NY) Firefighter with Alzheimer’s Receives Pension
Glens Falls leaders have reversed course and awarded Fire Lieutenant Doug Holl a full pension.
1 min read
Public Pressure Growing to Pay Glens Falls (NY) Firefighter’s Pension
A groundswell of public support has emerged for Glens Falls Fire Lieutenant Doug Holl, who was denied full retirement benefits after being diagnosed with early-onset…
1 min read
Promotional Prep 101: Fueling Your Future
David Dachinger speaks with guest Al Pratts, a promotional prep consultant who shares valuable insights on preparing for the challenges ahead.
3 min read
Firefighter Feuding in Butte-Silver Bow (MT) Is Now a War on Two Fronts
Animosity between paid and volunteer firefighters in Butte-Silver Bow County that became public last fall has intensified even more.
12 min read
‘When We Fail, People Die’: Some Baltimore Leaders Say Understaffing, Overtime Needs to Change
High overtime pay among first responders in Baltimore is a symptom of significant understaffing, a longstanding challenge.
7 min read
Goodview (MN) Fire Department Mourns the Loss of Chief Jason Gruett
Goodview Fire Chief Jason Gruett unexpectedly passed away at 51 years old on March 12, leaving a major loss within the fire department.
2 min read
East Hempfield (PA) Fire Department Looking to Rebuild After Volunteers Charged With Arson
In February, three volunteer firefighters — Joshua Lightcap, 23, Mason Howard, 21, and a 16-year-old junior firefighter — were charged with deliberately setting five fires in October…
5 min read