Chief Derek Alkonis: ‘Everything you do is focused on life safety’

Fire Chief Jason Caughey joins the team this week to reflect on the decisive themes of 2024, whether those hot topics will continue to make waves in 2025, plus the critical areas of focus for any fire service leader who’s working to support their members. Plus, we dig into all this: Innovative events and forward-thinking groups driving change Reimagining the debate about what it means to be safe and aggressive Why fire service leaders can no longer get away with being “full of sh*t” How to take proactive steps to break down silos Embracing a “train ’em, trust ’em, let ’em go” mindset A reminder to focus on the positive – and why you joined Thank you for your support of Better Every Shift in 2024! Are you ready to thrive in 2025? 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!

Ventura Fire Captain Fernando Calderon has appeared on five seasons of Discovery Channel’s hit reality TV show “Naked & Afraid,” where participants are dropped into remote locations – without clothes – to survive for upwards of three weeks. Most of the show’s participants have years of experience living off the grid or teaching survival strategies – but not Calderon. He went from watching the show at the fire station to feeling “possessed” to apply.” It was the ultimate test to learn what he was made of. Now over 10 years later, Calderon is what they call an All Star in the Naked & Afraid universe – and he’s sharing the many survival challenge lessons that apply to the fire service. Plus, we dig into all of this: How the show helps Calderon reset Feeling pressure to make his fire department proud The superpower that gives him an edge on the competition Implementing “mental mind control” to make it through tough times The worst thing he ate during one of his survival challenges The competitor he calls a “wild card” The #1 food he craves post-competition This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Better Every Shift listeners receive 10% off now through Dec. 31, using the promo code, FR10. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

Megan Lautz understands that shiftwork makes it nearly impossible to follow a perfect diet – as do other life events that squeeze your time and impact your outlook on food. That’s why her nutrition advice for firefighters centers on what’s realistic – the “good, better, best” approach, which encourages making smarter choices for the situation and setting yourself up for success with simple tools, like go-bags for snacks on shift. Plus, Lautz has worked with firefighters through her company, RescueRd, long enough to know when to push and when “a little bit of shame adds some razzle-dazzle” to the guidance. We dig into all of that and more: “Firefighter Math” in the context of health, namely donuts The truth about energy drinks Smart electrolyte supplement strategies Simple recommendations for caffeine and hydration Resources: Get the free recipe book, “Firehouse Fresh, on Lautz’s website and learn more about the Kales Lab study on “Feeding America’s Bravest: Survival Mediterranean Style.” Find Lautz on social media: Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn 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? Send an email [email protected] to share your feedback.

We’re declassifying today’s podcast so everyone can learn from Rear Admiral (ret.) Mike Studeman, former commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence. Studeman, who is one of the nation’s leading national security professionals, recently authored the thought-provoking book “Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity,” focused on critical leadership lessons that are easily applied to the fire service, including how to build buy-in, plus the top traits for leaders to cultivate among their members – and themselves. Plus, we dig into all of this: The myth of the “always-in-command” leadership style The psychological impact of being singularly focused on the job The power of branding – mottos, flags, etc. – to organizational culture Fine-tuning your mode for enacting change You can also find “Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity” at JPL Books. 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. Enjoying the show? Send an email to [email protected] to share your feedback!

Crossover alert! On this week’s Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into a vital topic: the culture of accountability in EMS. Sparked by FireRescue1 Senior Fire Advisor Chief Marc Bashoor’s article, "Where is our culture of accountability?", the hosts explore why change is so difficult to embrace, how leadership impacts culture and what steps agencies can take to help foster accountability across an organization. Thank you to Pulsara for sponsoring this episode of Inside EMS. Discover more at Pulsara.com. Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.

Many know that Tucson Fire Chief Chuck Ryan is a staunch advocate for firefighter health and safety, but he’s also a big believer in giving a little grace. Leadership is challenging, so our default assumptions shouldn’t be that leadership just doesn’t get it. After all, Chief Ryan says, “No fire chief comes to work and says, ‘How can I mess with my people today? How can I make their lives uncomfortable and miserable today?’” Ryan offers insights from his years in a variety of leadership positions as well as lessons learned from one of the most challenging calls of his career – a 2021 shooting he describes as, “the worst of circumstances handled in the best of ways.” Plus, we dig into all of this: The power of a good relationship with the local police chief; the switch from lawyer to firefighter and his “do-over” fire service career move; and the fireboat mishap that left Ryan in treading water in the Potomac River. 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.

It’s time to make your list and check it twice to ensure you’re covered this holiday season. Unsure what to buy for your firefighter friends and family or even your crewmembers? You can skip the line for Santa because the real magic is at TheFireStore.com, which is offering a 15% discount to Better Every Shift listeners from Nov. 21-30. Listen in for the code to ensure you grab the best firefighter gifts without breaking the bank. 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. Enjoying the show? Send an email to [email protected] to share your feedback!

“There's so much we don't know about fires. We're still killing firefighters. We're still killing people in fires. There's still so much to know and to do differently.” Chief Derek Alkonis, who serves as a research program manager for UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, shares his passion for learning about fire dynamics and how best to translate fire behavior research into actionable lessons – and updated tactics – for firefighters. Plus, we dig into all of this: The Mike Singletary analogy for “aggressive” firefighting Why the Lahaina fire moved so fast and Alkonis’ current work on the fire investigation team [Read the Maui Wildfire Analysis] How the heavy burden of command drove him to learn more about fire behavior early in his career Alkonis’ work with Los Angeles County Fire to put fire behavior research into practice – and the process of getting buy-in from the firefighters 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.

To help Better Every Shift commemorate 100episodes, Chief Frank Leeb returns (again), this time with several surprise guests, live from the recent pro-wrestling-themed Brothers Helping Brothers event – a perfect example of the collaboration among the “Misfit Nation,” all working together to row in the same direction for the betterment of the fire service. There’s a lot happening, so buckle up for an action-packed show that may or may not go totally off the rails in the best possible way. Tune in for some great nuggets of wisdom, peppered with plenty of shenanigans: How to pin firefighter health The WWE star who video-bombs the show The “highlight reel” that shows Zam as a totally ****ing professional Plus, new hot seat questions! Also, don’t miss the opportunity to attend next year’s Brothers Helping Brothers event. Email [email protected] for more information. 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. Enjoying the show? Send an email [email protected] to share your feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode. 

Recruitment challenges continue to plague many fire departments, but there are simple ways to address the root issues head on – the key is knowing where to find the start button. Dr. Michael Cunningham, division chief for Cobb County (Georgia) Fire, helps members take those initial steps toward change. The chief also details how his department retooled their own hiring process. Plus, we dig into all of this: How a more transient workforce changes recruitment and retention efforts Inadvertent barriers that could discourage or prevent people from joining the fire service A disturbing story about AARs … in the shower Why a fear of DEI leads some to ignore the topic entirely How to set your own path and break down self-imposed barriers 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? Send an email to [email protected] to share your feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming show.