CalChiefs

CalChiefs

This podcast series is part of a CalChiefs initiative to dive deeper into initiatives and issues of importance to CalChiefs and its members, and to provide another medium in which we connect and work together towards fulfilling our Vision of being the Voice of the California Fire Service.

Episode 37 - Frictionless Procurement: Using Cooperative Contracts To Get What You Want, When You Want it.

Discover a simpler way to approach your purchasing process that saves time, creates choice, and delivers better value for your department. This discussion with Crosby Grindle will highlight why understanding your procurement options matters and walk you through the benefits of cooperative purchasing as a key tool for smarter procurement.

Episode 36 - A Better Way to Bundle Benefits

In a conversation with Ryan Donovan, Senior Director at Sourcewell, explore how cooperative purchasing helps California fire and EMS agencies access high-quality insurance and employee benefits options. By leveraging competitively awarded contracts and trusted vendor partnerships, Sourcewell offers a streamlined path to evaluate alternatives to traditional insurance and employee benefit models while improving cost efficiency and administrative ease.

Episode 31 - Leading with Character

In this episode, Chief Chris Tubbs sits down with leadership expert Dave Anderson to explore what it truly means to lead with character. Together they discuss the habits, values, and daily decisions that define authentic leadership—especially when the pressure is high and the stakes are real. Listeners will gain practical insights on integrity, accountability, and how character-driven leadership builds trust, strengthens teams, and shapes lasting impact both on and off the job.

Episode 30 - Strategic Advantage & Public Value

In this episode of the CalChiefs / FDAC podcast, host Chris Tubbs is joined by leadership expert and author Steve Kent of The Results Group, Ltd. The discussion explores the essential relationship between strategic planning and organizational culture within public safety agencies. Drawing from decades of experience and his influential book Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture for Public Safety Agencies, Steve shares candid insights on the importance of vision, the dangers of short-term thinking, and the need to align strategy with values and community expectations. He challenges conventional leadership paradigms, emphasizes the need for grown-up accountability, and offers practical tools for building resilient, forward-looking organizations. The episode is a rich dialogue filled with wisdom, humor, and a call to action for public safety leaders to lead with purpose and foresight.

Mind Your 4 Peas (personal and team coaching site): https://coachsteve.org

Episode 29 - Psychosocial Hazards are Real!

In this episode, we explore Psychosocial Hazards are Real! by Dr. I. David Daniels—a powerful and timely examination of the often-overlooked mental, emotional, and social challenges faced in today’s workplaces, especially in high-stress professions like public safety. Drawing on personal experience and professional insight, Dr. Daniels exposes the systemic risks that harm psychological well-being and offers a path forward toward healthier, more accountable, and human-centered work environments. Whether you’re a leader, peer, or policy maker, this book is a must-read.

Episode 28 - Fighting Fire with Funding

The California Fire Service is facing a critical funding shortfall that jeopardizes the safety and preparedness of communities statewide. Fire protection districts and fire departments, which cover 125,782 square miles and serve over 39 million people, have seen service demand grow significantly over the last 50 years. Despite this, funding mechanisms have not kept pace, leaving fire agencies struggling to maintain staffing, equipment, and infrastructure.