Mentors on Fire Podcast

About Mentors on Fire Podcast

The purpose of the podcast is to be an awareness and educational resource for emergency and public service personnel regarding professional development, leadership, behavioral health, service-specific innovations and trends, and other relevant topics.

Publisher

Mentors on Fire Podcast

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

6 Apr 2022

Latest episode

17 Sept 2024

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Sept 2024

   Mentors on Fire Podcast: Episode 33- Nate House, Firefighter/LEO

   In this episode, Nate House, a 24-year firefighter, 20-year paramedic and 15-year police officer shares his journey in the emergency services and the importance of mentorship. He discusses the field training officer (FTO) model, its impact on new officers, and his experience as a K9 handler. Nate emphasizes the need for standardized mentorship programs and the adverse effects of poor mentorship. He also shares a memorable story from his time as a K9 handler. Nate House shares his experience transitioning from law enforcement to the fire service and his passion for mentorship. He discusses his role as a public safety officer overseeing the fire division and his challenges in implementing change. Nate explains how he started In-House Solutions, a company focused on mentorship in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the fire service and the need for standardized training for all firefighters. Nate also highlights the difference between leadership and mentorship and the role of mentorship in entry-level positions. The conversation explores the importance of having trained and dedicated Field Training Officers (FTOs) in the fire service. It highlights the need for FTOs who genuinely want to mentor and support recruits rather than just going through the motions. The conversation also touches on the value of mentorship programs for company officers and the benefits of formalizing the FTO role. The FTO program is seen as a way to improve recruitment and retention in the fire service by creating a positive work environment and providing support for new hires. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy and creating a culture of success within the fire service. In this conversation, Nate House discusses the importance of mentorship in the fire service and shares his experiences and insights. He emphasizes the need for reverse mentoring, where newer firefighters have something to teach the more experienced ones. Nate also discusses his field training officer (FTO) role and its challenges and opportunities. He highlights the significance of being relevant and staying engaged in the fire service. Nate shares his pride in being published in Fire Engineering and his goal of spreading the message of mentorship to fire departments across the country. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor 01:12 Nate House's Background and Introduction 02:28 Starting in the Emergency Services 04:16 Transitioning to Law Enforcement 08:04 The Field Training Officer (FTO) Model 12:34 The Role of a Field Training Officer 19:11 FTO Training and Individual Agency Standards 25:08 Becoming a K9 Handler 27:29 Memorable K9 Handler Story 27:57 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to the Fire Service 32:31 Implementing Change in the Fire Service 38:44 The Importance of Mentorship in the Fire Service 50:31 In-House Solutions: Focusing on Mentorship 56:42 Differentiating Between Leadership and Mentorship 01:00:23 The Role of Entry-Level Mentorship in the Fire Service 01:01:33 The Importance of Trained and Dedicated FTOs 01:03:36 Mentorship Programs for Company Officers 01:06:36 Creating a Positive Work Environment 01:10:33 Understanding the Power of Mentorship 01:19:36 Challenging the Fire Service Culture 01:27:19 Implementing Change for Safety and Efficiency 01:33:58 Creating a Culture of Yes 01:37:10 The Role of Champions in the Fire Service 01:38:03 The Value of Reverse Mentoring 01:45:47 The Role of a Field Training Officer (FTO) 01:56:01 The Importance of Relevancy 02:01:39 Spreading the Message of Mentorship

2. 

   28 Jul 2024

   Mentors on Fire Podcast: Episode 32- Matt Tobia, Fire Chief

   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

3. 

   8 Jul 2024

   Mentors on Fire Podcast: Episode 31- Steven Conn, Deputy 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

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.