Better Every Shift

• Chief Reid Vaughan: ‘If you can fog a mirror, I’ll find you a job’

  “There’s a job for everybody” at the volunteer fire department. That’s Chief Reid Vaughan’s perspective on recruitment. Cuba, Alabama, where Vaughan serves as fire chief, doesn’t have a lot of financial support, meaning officials have to get creative about how to best serve the community. Vaughan shares volunteer recruitment strategies plus smart ways to do more with less. We dig into all this plus: Mutual-aid relationships that make a big difference Hybrid education programs that fit volunteers’ schedules Homegrown systems for communicating with the public How to highlight the realities of volunteer fire life for local and state leaders Chief Vaughan also shares his experience receiving the IAFC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award and encourages listeners to nominate a deserving chief this current award cycle. Nominations close May 9. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

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• Extra Alarm: Fire service pruning – make way for fresh ideas, technology and practices

  This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Division Chief Eric Latimer, who uses the metaphor of pruning a rose bush to emphasize the importance of evaluating and updating fire department practices, policies and technology. Pruning is necessary to eliminate outdated methods and make way for new, more efficient practices. Areas for potential pruning include outdated policies, unsafe practices, irrelevant tools, and administrative methods that fail to leverage new technologies. Continuous and mindful evaluation led by adaptable and communicative leaders can lead to a more efficient, effective and safer fire department. 

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• NFL lineman honors fallen firefighters through ‘My Cause My Cleats’ program

  It’s Draft Day – a perfect opportunity to spotlight one player who has chosen to support the fire service through the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” program. Colts center Danny Pinter, who has several ties to the fire service, honors fallen firefighters on custom designed cleats each season. Zam and Janelle met Pinter a recent National Fallen Firefighters Foundation event where Pinter connected with the fire service leaders and the loved ones of fallen firefighters, reinforcing his commitment to the cause. We dig into Pinter’s support for the fire service, plus a host of football-to-fireground lessons. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

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• Extra Alarm: The importance of proportional response on and off the fireground

  This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Linda Willing, who tackles the significance of proportional responses. Willing emphasizes how underreaction can condone inappropriate behavior, while overreaction can waste resources and damage trust. Using real-life examples, she illustrates that responses should be fair, consistent and proportional to the incidents, whether on the fireground or in organizational settings. Disproportionate responses can lead to further problems, trust issues and morale damage.

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• Chief Kim Zagaris reflects on the Oklahoma City bombing 30 years later

  “I’ve seen some horrendous accidents and things – never in my life had I seen anything similar to this.” Chief Kim Zaragis describes the scene of the Oklahoma City bombing – a terrorist attack that killed 168 people and injured more than 600 others on April 19, 1995. As we mark 30 years since the horrific incident, Chief Zagaris recounts his 16 days working the scene as the planning section chief – a role he was tasked with due to his extensive experience in USAR responses, emergency management and homeland security. Zagaris, who currently serves as the Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association, highlights the challenges faced at the scene, coordination with the FBI, the highly personal dedication of the first responders during recovery efforts, and the importance of humility when providing mutual aid, among other key takeaways from the incident. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

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