Join Host Christopher Baker and guest CAL FIRE Director (Retired) Ken Pimlott on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM (PST) as they discuss the challenges of leadership during a time when wildland fires became more intense and destructive, and fire seasons evolved into a year-round reality. The conversation explores the pressures of leading through...
Join host Christopher Baker and guest Fire Chaplain Jim Cook as they discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the fire service. This episode covers the work of the California Fire Chaplain Association, the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and the importance of maintaining work-life balance in such a demanding profession. As we enter the h...
Throughout my fire service career, I have worked nearly every shift schedule available. When I first started as a volunteer, I signed up for 24-hour shifts on a Kelly Schedule as a paid reserve. About a year later, I received the opportunity to be a wildland firefighter and transitioned to the 72-hour shift schedule. As a wildland firefighter, I so...
Over the years, I have volunteered for various organizations. When I first started my career in the fire service, I began as a volunteer, and this experience taught me the importance of volunteerism. However, one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences was when I traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the devastating earthquake in 2010. I wil...
When the call comes for an immediate-need strike team assignment, wildland firefighters respond within a moment's notice, sometimes only with their out-of-county bags. Also referred to as red bags, these bags are packed with essential survival items for a 14-day assignment. Depending on the operational assignment, these red bags are weighed and hav...
In June 2018, I attended a train-the-trainer class for the Everyone Goes Home® program course titled 'Attributes of Leading' created by Dr. Brian Crandell of the Crandell Research Group, Battalion Chief Kevin Conant (Retired) of Command Coaching, and videographer/editor Assistant Chief (Retired) Jake Pelk of Tablet Command. This...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department (AZ) Assistant Chief Rayne Gray as we dig into what truly shapes our profession: mentorship, and the constant ebb and flow of leadership changes that test our adaptability and resilience. We talk about the recruitment and retention challenges we're facing in Arizona, and a...
SAMatters Download PDF File Here Host Chris Baker talks with guest Dr. Rich Gasaway about situational awareness for the future firefighter. What's Your Emergency? Host Chris Baker discusses why it's important to become a Paramedic with The Happy Medic, San Francisco Fire Department Rescue Captain Justin Schorr. 2nd Alarm Project &...
You never know what to expect when you sign up to be a volunteer. I had the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador for the Firehouse Expo 2015 Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. I was very fortunate to assist with setting up the inaugural Legends and Icons Event for the Firehouse Hall of Fame. This opportunity was one of the most memorable volunteer...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Erik Scott, Los Angeles Fire Captain II/Paramedic and lead Public Information Officer (PIO), for a powerful discussion on firefighter mentorship. This episode explores the critical role of motivation, trust-building, and professional relationships—both within the organization and across the communities fir...
If you quit you will regret it for the rest of your life. Quitting never makes things easier. - Admiral William H. McRaven Entry Level Hiring Process During this episode, host Chris Baker discusses the application phase of the entry-level future firefighter recruitment process and how to be an unbreakable candidate as you progress through the ...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Los Angeles City Fire Department (CA) Fire Captain II/Paramedic Tim Werle, as they discuss mentorship in the fire service, practical leadership lessons, and the growing role of GIS and intelligence tools on the modern fireground. Together, they explore how to understand people more deeply—reading personali...
One of my mentors, the late Chief Bobby Halton, gave me the opportunity to create and host The Future Firefighter Podcast, discussing Firefighter Mentorship through Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio, in December 2017. From January 2018 to June 2022, I highlighted and discussed firefighter mentorship with several of my mentors across 41 episodes, as ...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Deputy Director of Communications & Emergency Incident Awareness, Chief Nick Schuler, as they discuss the importance of communication and public information, firefighter mentorship, leadership lessons, and seeking continuous professional development throughout your fire service career. Biography: Chief Schu...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Laramie County Fire Authority (WY), Fire Chief Jason Caughey, as they discuss firefighter mentorship, his internship with the Phoenix Fire Department (AZ), and leadership lessons from Chief Alan V. Brunacini. We also discuss national recruitment and retention issues, as well as volunteer and career o...
This show is in memory of Fire Chief (Retired) Alan V. Brunacini (April 18, 1937 – October 15, 2017) and Chief (Retired) Dr. Harry R. Carter, FIFireE, CFO (July 29, 1947 – Jun 17, 2022). In this encore presentation from The Future Firefighter Podcast, Host Christopher Baker speaks to Dr. Harry R. Carter about the value of education in the fire...
Before I pursued my dream career position in the Fire Service, my original dream was to represent our Country as an Olympic Hopeful for the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling. I spent the majority of my childhood and early adult life preparing for the opportunity to be a member of Team USA Wrestling. I started my athletic career in the dojo, studying t...
From our first day in the fire service, we have the opportunity to be a leader and lead throughout probation and well beyond, until long after our retirement. This article is not a perfect recipe or a golden ticket to passing probation. It takes more than a list of rules to be successful in passing probation. Ultimately, the responsibility of passi...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest California State Fire Marshal, Chief Daniel Berlant, as they discuss the foundation and history of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, firefighter mentorship, and leadership lessons on the importance of communication, customer service, consistency, and trust. We also discuss recruitment and retentio...
One of my mentors, the late Chief Bobby Halton, gave me the opportunity to create and host The Future Firefighter Podcast, discussing Firefighter Mentorship through Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio, in December 2017. From January 2018 to June 2022, I highlighted and discussed firefighter mentorship with several of my mentors across 41 episodes, as ...