5-Alarm Task Force!

Latest Episodes:

Episode 160: Episode 5-17 – Capt. Sean Mitchell - IAFF Resolution Against PPE Manufacturers Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Service – Be you career, volunteer, paid-on-call and wildland: THIS IS THE GEAR WE WEAR TO PROTECT US WHEN WE ARE NEEDED TO ANSWER THE CALL!
Until just a few years ago, we thought that, as long as we followed the Gross Decon procedures, shared throughout the fire service, we would remain relatively safe. And what happened several years ago to change that way of thinking? Our Brother from Massachusetts who, just after being promoted to Lieutenant, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to file his papers. His wife, Diane, while supporting her husband, wanted to know how this could happen. Her determination and perseverance led to the discovery that our bunker gear, just might be killing us from the inside, with “forever chemicals,” often referred to as PFOS, used in Teflon® coatings and waterproofing.
Capt. Sean Mitchell’s (of the Nantucket MA Fire Dept.) eyes were opened after he started following Diane’s posts on social media, especially because a fellow firefighter in his department, had also been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sean began contacting the PPR manufacturers and requesting documents ascertaining the safety of the gear. The information he received, he found out, was not necessarily accurate. The more he investigated, the more he and the president of the Fall River MA Firefighters’ local, were convinced that the manufacturers were being disingenuous.
Learn here what Sean did, together with many other firefighters in the IAFF did at their recent, virtual convention, to show the manufacturers that we will not simply accept their “science” and assurances. No more!
Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or at our website, www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org.

Episode 159: Episode 5-16 – Part III - Gamaliel Baer, EdD. – Behavioral Change & Org. Leadership Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

It is our pleasure to welcome back, Gamaliel Baer, EdD., to “5-Alarm Task Force,” as we continue the discussion, we began in Episodes 5-12 and 5-14. Dr. Baer’s dissertation dealt with overall health and wellness of the fire service today and, into tomorrow.
In our current episode, “G,” as he is called, discusses the behavioral changes necessary for positive leadership, both from the leader and for the members. We also focus on organizational leadership and how a good leader must affect changes within the organization.
If you have that key interest for and are ready to become a leader in your fire service, you will want to hear this episode.
We are proud to say that Dr. “G” will return in March for a “summary” interview to discuss “Creating a Health and Wellness System Within Your Organization” and “Creating Leadership.”
Tune in right here on Podomatic, on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC, our YouTube Channel (5-AlarmTaskForceCorp) or your favorite podcast platform!
photo courtesy en.Wikipedia.org

Episode 158: Episode 5-15 – Chief Charles Werner – New Technology in Public Safety Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

It is our pleasure to welcome back Chief (ret) Charles Werner, the Executive Director of
Drone Responders – The Public Safety Alliance. With nearly 40 years’ experience in the fire service, Chief Werner has always been interested, not only in new technology, but how it can and does benefit the Fire Service and other branches of Public Safety.
In this episode, Chief Werner discusses the unimagined growth of Drone Responders, as well as the use of drones in all branches of Public Safety. Additionally, Chief Werner explains the many advantages that the use of drones provides today, but also, what experts are seeing in the not-to-distant future.
We also talk about new technology that allows us to find a “tagged” firefighter, LEO, EMS personnel, etc., on a 3-D map of an involved structure, from a one-story, ranch home to a high-rise. This breakthrough allows the IC to find his/her personnel within THREE meters of their exact location. Add to this the rapidly evolving use of FirstNet®, to allow preemptive communications on an emergency scene and we have the tools that will allow us to gain a new mastery of an emergency scene.
Tune in right here on Podomatic, or on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC, our YouTube Channel (5-AlarmTaskForceCorp) or your favorite podcast platform!

Episode 157: Episode 5-14 – Part II - Gamaliel Baer, E.D. – Resilience & Leadership Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

It is our pleasure to welcome back, Gamaliel Baer, E.D., to “5-Alarm Task Force,” as we continue the discussion, we began in Episode 5-12. Dr. Baer’s dissertation dealt with overall health and wellness of the fire service today and, into tomorrow.
In our current episode, “G,” as he is called, defines for us, the most important definitions and applications of resilience and leadership. And while these two terms can be used in numerous industries, our discussion takes us deep into the fire service. Moreover, we learn about the differences between the terms, “leadership” and “management.
If you have that key interest for and are ready to become a leader in your fire service, you will want to hear this episode.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Baer will return for Part III of this series, sometime in February. The date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
Tune in on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC, our YouTube Channel (5AlarmTaskForceCorp) or your favorite podcast platform!

Episode 156: Episode 5-13 - Steve Hirsch, Chair - NVFC Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

Episode 5-13 – Steve Hirsch, Chairperson, NVFC
There are approximately 1.2 million men and women who are firefighters in the United States. Of that number nearly 70% are volunteers and 85% of the U.S. fire departments are all or mostly volunteer., according to the NFPA as of 2017-2018. With those numbers (which were even higher back in the mid-to-late 1970’s), a national organization was created to help those departments and their members, was needed. And in 1976, the National Volunteer Fire Council was created.
On this episode of “5-Alarm task Force,” my guest is Mr. Steve Hirsch, Chairperson of the NVFC. While the framework of society has certainly changed since then, the NVFC continues provide these department and members with guidance, recruitment and retention programs and other assistance.
The pandemic of 2020-2021 has and will continue to affect all our First Responders, career or volunteer. And we discuss with Steve Hirsch the impact of Covid-19 on the volunteer side, issues related to retention and recruitment, as well as the key health initiatives that the NVFC is bringing to the unselfish and brave men and women who make up America’s volunteer fire-rescue personnel.

Episode 155: Episode 5-12 – Gamaliel Baer, EdD, “Bringing Wellness & Resilience to the Fire Service Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” my guest is Gamaliel Baer, EdD, MSM, CTO. He is also an intelligence Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard. His dissertation from University of Southern California focused on Organizational Change and Leadership. He has also been a firefighter since 2008.
His education and experience lead us to discuss several issues facing the fire service, including organizational development to create a sustainable health and wellness program; how does the fire service define, “wellness,” what more is needed to bring both balance and resilience to the broad spectrum to the fire service and how do we develop proper programs to do so, etc.
This episode is but the first with, “G,” as his friends refer to him. We will be following up this episode next month with Part II.
Best wishes to all for a Safe, Healthy and Happy Holiday Season!
Tune in on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC or your favorite podcast platform!
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Episode 154: Episode 5-11 – Todd LeDuc – Lifescan Wellness Centers Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

Firefighter health, wellness and fitness-for-duty – you have often heard us address these topics because they define our abilities as firefighters. If you do not take care of yourself, how do you expect to be able to care for others? Our guest on this podcast, is my friend, Todd Leduc, Chief Strategy Officer of Lifescan Wellness Centers. And FYI, before Todd joined the Lifescan team, he served for thirty years with Broward County Fire – Rescue, attaining the rank of Executive Assistant Chief of Department.
Today, the average physical exam a firefighter may receive from his/her PCP, is the same that almost any other patient would receive. However, NFPA 1582 and 1583, contains specific examination requirements that are custom-tailored to the fire service, be you career, volunteer, etc. And often times, your PCP, just cannot provide that level of exams for you.
This is where Lifescan Wellness Centers come in. With their motto, “Saving America’s First Responders,” your department contracts directly with them. Our guest, Todd LeDuc provides you with a clear picture of the dedication and commitment of LWC to care for and protect our first responders. Within our discussion, you will hear several true stories of how Lifescan’s comprehensive examinations, have saved REAL lives and do so, almost every day.
Tune in on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC or your favorite podcast platform!
Photo Courtesy of Lifescan Wellness Centers

Episode 5-10, Chief Dan Kerrigan & Capt. Jim Moss Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Firefighter health, wellness and fitness-for-duty – you have often heard us address these topics because they define our abilities as firefighters. If you do not take care of yourself, how do you expect to be able to care for others?
Our returning guests, Chief Dan Kerrigan and Capt. Jim Moss, have dedicated themselves to teaching just how important these topics are, not just by learning about them, but by embracing their values and making these values part of your life. If you want to be a firefighter and serve your community to the best of your ability, then you have to devote yourself to more than knowing what equipment is on which apparatus or how to tie a bunch of knots. You must take care of yourself!
Chief Kerrigan and Capt. Moss, wrote, what some might call the “bible” of firefighter health and wellness, “Firefighter Functional Fitness.” They discuss the “pillars” of firefighter overall wellness, which includes areas such as restorative rest, proper hydration and much more. If you care about your role as a firefighter, listen or watch this episode and I would suggest having a pad of paper and a pencil nearby. You are going to learn!
Tune in here on Podomatic, on our website, www.Bit.ly/5-ATFC or your favorite podcast platform!

Special Episode to Introduce F.R.E.T. - Fire, Rescue & EMS Today Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

There have been any number of changes here at the “5-Alarm Task Force” podcast since we started in Fall of 2016. Our guest list is amazing, we have recorded over 150 episodes, we are on every major (and numerous, “minor”) podcast platforms and we have listeners in over 40 countries and, we moved to the Zoom platform! You might think we have attained all our goals. Nope!
If you are a regular listener, you know that we recently added a new monthly installment of the series, “Make Due.” And we have had particularly good numbers showing up. However, you are also aware that, while our podcast is dedicated the fire service, we are inclusive and need to also cover EMS, as well. And that begins with this podcast!
My dear friend and former business partner, Tom Mitten, joins me as we share with you a new installment feature that Tom will carry, called “F.R.E.T. – Fire, Rescue & EMS Today.” Tom comes to us with over 30 years in the volunteer fire service and is well-connected to today’s issues. Learn all about F.R.E.T. right here!
Tune in here on Podomatic, on our website,
www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org or your favorite podcast platform!

"Make Due!" With Chief Curt Isakson & Chief Shannon Stone Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

From its inception, our “Make Due” segments have focused on the fact that out of approximately 1.2 million firefighters in the U.S., approximately 80% of us are firefighters in suburban and/or rural areas. Unlike most cities, we do not roll-out on a call with two, three or even, four pieces of apparatus, each fully staffed! We are often lucky to have two or three personnel on that first apparatus that leaves the station. And too often, once on scene, that limited crew must “make due!”
With that in mind, this episode, co-hosted by my friends Capt. Nick Peppard and Sean Duffy, includes as guests, Chief Curt Isakson and Chief Shannon Stone, two leading experts on suburban or “county” fire tactics.
Our discussion covers training, preparation, tactics and of course, how to “make due,” with what you have. We often do not have the luxury of waiting for the second due piece or mutual aid. The scene before us needs to be mitigated and if there are only three of us, so be it! If you work in a suburban or rural area, this episode if for YOU!
Listen to our podcast here, on our website or on your favorite podcast platform!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected