The Future Firefighter

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 BlogTalkRadio, in December 2017.

From January 2018 to June 2022, I highlighted and discussed firefighter mentorship with several of my mentors across 41 episodes, which accumulated approximately 100,000 listens/downloads. The final episode was a memorial podcast featuring my good friend and mentor, the late Dr. Harry R. Carter, in which we discussed the value of education in the fire service at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) on Friday, April 27, 2018.

It is paramount to effectively engage every member of your agency, from recruit school through the senior firefighter ranks, with an assigned mentor and mentee. Fire service personnel of all positions can positively benefit from mentorship.

Please share with anyone interested in joining the fire service.

The Future Firefighter Podcast discusses the importance of implementing a plan and the process of becoming a firefighter through mentorship by engaging the future members of the fire service in a positive way. This podcast discusses the importance of planning for success mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Join host Chris Baker and guest Chief Rick Lasky as they discuss why they love the fire service and why they consider it the best job in the world. During this episode, they also discuss Pride and Ownership: A Firefighter's Love of the Job and why every future firefighter needs to read this book.Rick Lasky, a 40-year veteran of the fire service, served as chief of the Lewisville (TX) Fire Department for 12 years, prior to that as Fire Chief in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Most recently, he was interim Chief for the Trophy Club (TX) Fire Department. Rick followed in his father's footsteps beginning his career as a firefighter in the suburbs on the southwest side of Chicago and has been a line firefighter-paramedic, company grade officer, training officer, and command-level officer.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Tonya Hoover as they discuss the importance of pursuing higher education in the fire service and why professional development is necessary in becoming a well-rounded firefighter. They also discuss educational opportunities at the National Fire Academy and why you want to be here on the National Emergency Training Center campus.Tonya Hoover is the deputy U.S. fire administrator at the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). She was named to this position in January 2020. As the senior career federal fire official, she is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the USFA.This includes the annual training of over 100,000 first responders at and through the National Fire Academy (NFA); the National Fire Incident Reporting System, which documents and analyzes 27 million fire department emergency responses a year; the USFA's fire prevention, public information and public education programs; and the 26 campus buildings and the grounds of the historic National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Captain Erika Enslin from the Sacramento (CA) Fire Department as they discuss future female firefighter recruitment topics, including girls fire camps, Golden State Women in the Fire Service, Triple F - Fierce Female Firefighters, and Firefighter Mentorship. Captain Erika Enslin has served with the Sacramento (California) Fire Department for the last 26 years, with 32 years in the fire service. She is currently a station captain with a passion for outreach, recruitment, and women's issues. Captain Enslin is active in girl's fire camps all over the West Coast. She is a founding member of the Sacramento Area Girls Fire Camp and founder of the nonprofit Golden State Women in the Fire Service. Enslin is a board member for Camp Blaze Girls Fire Camp, Triple F (Fierce Female Firefighters) Foundation, and the Sacramento Regional Fire Museum. She also serves on the Sacramento Regional Diversity Committee and SFD's Advisory Committee for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Transformation (ACED IT). 

Join host Chris Baker and guest Fire Captain Chris Ruano as they discuss how the pre-service firefighter candidate prepares for the fire academy mentally, physically, and emotionally. This episode discusses physical conditioning and training before the entry-level fire academy, injury prevention during the academy, and the transition from the fire academy into the first year of probation. Chris Ruano currently serves on and leads teams in the Wildland and Municipal Fire Service in Southern California. Having served as a Forest Service Hotshot and more recently, as a leader on Wildland and Municipal fire crews; "Roo" is especially passionate about fitness leadership and training methods. He draws his unique perspective from serving over 23 years in the Fire Service.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Fire Chief Dave Emanuel as they discuss grounding, values, and organizational culture. During this episode, they discuss workplace bullying and how future firefighters can respect our house by extinguishing bullying in the fire service. Dave Emanuel is the chief of the Durham Fire Department, serving the Town of Durham, NH, and the University of New Hampshire (UNH). He has 30 years of career and volunteer fire and EMS experience as a firefighter, company officer, and chief officer, eighteen years in labor-management leadership positions, is an instructor for the NH Fire Academy, and is a nationally recognized leadership speaker. Emanuel holds a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and is a licensed NH Professional Engineer. He is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer by the CPC and a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. 

Join host Chris Baker and guest Battalion Chief Chad Costa as they discuss the keys to getting hired in today's fire service. During this episode, they discuss how to be prepared as a candidate, including education, experience, attitude, work ethic, and customer service. Chad Costa is a Battalion Chief for the Petaluma, CA, Fire Department. Over his 23 years of fire service experience, he has worked in a variety of organizations, including CAL FIRE, rural districts, and semi-rural districts. Costa is the technology and communications battalion chief and an Operations Branch Director on California Interagency Team 5. He is accredited as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and has a bachelor's degree in emergency services management. 

Join host Chris Baker and guest National Fire Chief (Ret.) Tom Harbour, former Director of Fire and Aviation for the U.S. Forest Service, as we discuss starting a career as a wildland firefighter and the philosophy of being a student of fire. During this episode, we also discuss the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Everyone Goes Home in the Wildland and the importance of firefighter life safety initiatives for the structural and wildland firefighters in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) environment.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Deputy Chief Joe Powers as they discuss embracing career opportunities, cultivating positive relationships, and building sustainability in the fire service. During this episode, they also discuss the Vision 20/20 Project and the value of community risk reduction through risk assessments, establishing partnerships, and building more resilient communities.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Deputy Chief Joe Powers as they discuss embracing career opportunities, cultivating positive relationships, and building sustainability in the fire service. During this episode, they also discuss the Vision 20/20 Project and the value of community risk reduction through risk assessments, establishing partnerships, and building more resilient communities.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Ben May as they discuss why marketing is important for the future firefighter. During this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including what is marketing and why it is so important, what is a brand and the most trusted brand in America, the brand evolution of the fire service, and why the future firefighter is responsible for representing the brand of the entire fire service.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Fire Chief Nathan Trauernicht as they discuss a wide range of topics, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Safety Health and Survival Section, and the focus of inclusivity in the fire service highlighting the IAFC's Diversity Executive Leadership Program (iDELP). During this episode, they also discuss the UC Davis Fire Department Student Firefighter Program and the value of membership with the Institution of Fire Engineers USA Branch.

Joining host Chris Baker is Larry Conley of Leadership Development Concepts, LLC. They discuss GLUE (Growing Leaders Using Empowerment) and why this personal leadership development program is essential for the future firefighter.

Join host Christopher Baker with guest Assistant Chief (Ret.) Todd LeDuc as they discuss his new book titled Surviving the Fire Service, published by Fire Engineering Books & Videos. This episode will focus on how the future firefighter can manage and reduce risks throughout their careers in the fire service.

Join host Chris Baker as he discusses the history of the fire service with Fire Chief Bill Killen (ret.) President/CEO of the National Fire Heritage Center and why it's important to learn about the history of the fire service. This episode is dedicated to the men and women that built the American Fire Service.

Host Chris Baker discusses Rube's Rules for the Future Firefighter with his guest and mentor Fire Chief Dennis Rubin.

Join host Chris Baker and guest Deputy Chief (Ret.) Frank Viscuso discusses mentoring in the fire service and leading yourself to success.

Host Chris Baker discusses the entry-level firefighter interview process with guest and mentor Deputy Steve Prziborowski. 

Host Chris Baker talks with special guest San Francisco (CA) Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac about mentoring tips for the future female firefighter. This show will discusses the future female firefighter highlighting the importance of having a mentor to help you overcome both mental and physical obstacles to achieve this highly desired position in the fire service. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Fire Engineering blog talk radio show are not the views of the San Francisco Fire Department.