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...
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...
Mentorship is vital to the future succession planning of the fire service. Everyone can positively benefit from having a mentor. Mentorship is how we bring continuous improvement to our profession. There is value in having an established advisor in your life to offer you counsel and guidance throughout your career. I have immensely benefited from t...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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 ...
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...
