FDIC2022 Keynote “Evolution You: Mission, Motivation, and Mindset

Douglas Mitchell Jr., Fire Captain with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), delivered the #FDIC2022 Thursday keynote, “Evolution You: Mission, Motivation, and Mindset.”

This riveting and passionate speech was informative, courageous and elevated our thoughts to new heights.

FOTRUST Webinar: Goal Setting 101

What is your success rate with goal setting? For most people, this is a sour subject because they either don’t set goals or they invest the time into a goal-setting process that does not elicit the outcome they desire.

During our time together, you will learn a proven and creative way to not only set goals, not only achieve goals but also to enjoy the process.

 

Remembering What You Can Never Forget Part 1

New Haven’s fire chief looks back on his time responding to Ground Zero following the 9/11 terror attacks

FDIC2021: You Can Get There From Here

Thank you to all who made this moment possible.  I do not take it lightly or for granted.  Hope you enjoy this little talk.

More to follow…

FDIC2021: Opening Ceremony Speech Promo

Greetings and thank you for checking out this video clip. It is my hope you can make it to the opening ceremonies 8/4 & 8/5 at #FDIC2021 . I hope to give a message that speaks to where you are and where you want to be.

Challenges of Women in the Fire Service

Thank you for a great discussion with a few of the phenomenal women of Fire and Emergency Services.

We found strength and inspiration. Thank you, President Amy Hanifan and Executive Director Kimberly Cox, for the invitation to participate.

I know you could have had anyone participate. I do not count the invitation, lightly.

#wif #womeninthefireservice #fireofficertrust @fireofficertrust #leadleaderlead @leadleaderlead

Getting the COVID Vaccine

New Haven, Ct. - 12/28/2020 - New Haven Fire Chief John Alston, Jr. is vaccinated for COVID-19 during a ceremony outside the New Haven Health Department marking the first phase of a four-part mass immunization campaign. "Let the healing begin," proclaimed Alston after receiving his shot from APRN Grace Grajales. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com
New Haven, Ct. – 12/28/2020 – New Haven Fire Chief John Alston, Jr. is vaccinated for COVID-19 during a ceremony outside the New Haven Health Department marking the first phase of a four-part mass immunization campaign. “Let the healing begin,” proclaimed Alston after receiving his shot from APRN Grace Grajales. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com (Mark Mirko/Mark Mirko)

https://www.courant.com/coronavirus/hc-news-coronavirus-new-haven-first-vaccines-20201228-wkdft3bnnfejzdkjgu2nncgori-story.html

Just before he rolled up his sleeve to get his COVID-19 vaccination Monday, New Haven Fire Chief John A. Alston Jr. acknowledged it was a historic moment. He not only became one of the first people vaccinated by the city’s Health Department, but — as person of color — he said he was showing people that it is safe.

“These are unprecedented times and the fire department has literally been the tip of the spear in fighting this virus,” Alston said. “This is the best possible tool we have to fight this and the only way that it works is if everyone gets vaccinated.”

It was an honor to get the vaccine from APRN Grace Grajales who has been the coordinator for the NHFD during these trying times.  Grace works around the clock to arrange testing, contact tracing, follow-up and return to work.

Calling The Mayday – R.I.T. Review

I want to thank the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association, for allowing me to present a brief portion on Calling the Mayday and the responsibilities of the Rapid Intervention Team or Rapid Intervention Crew.

This was done during one of our monthly membership meetings. It has been difficult, this year for us to meet together, due to the COVID19 Virus.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to share.

www.fireofficertrust.org

A Discussion on Race in the Fire Service – from the MikeyG and MikeyD Radio Show

“I want to thank Mike D, Mike G and my fellow panelists, for their courage, forthrightness, and professionalism in this endeavor.  They rose to the occasion out of love of country, our fellow firefighters, and our noble profession.   – John Alston

Join Capt. Mike Dugan (FDNY) and Capt. Mike Gagliano (Seattle Fire) for a discussion on starting a conversation about issues related to race without getting into conflict.

In particular, we will focus on the likely conversations that will occur in the treatment of the black community in our country and the fire service. To help give insight on doing so successfully, we will be speaking to:

Fire Chief John Alston, New Haven Fire Dept.
Capt. Larry Conley, St. Louis Fire Dept.
Capt. Jon M Goins Jr., Seattle Fire Dept.
Lt. Terri Reid, Baltimore County Fire Dept.
FF Mike Washington, Seattle Fire Dept.

Any perusal of the current stream of news or social media chatter makes it very clear that having conversations about racial issues can be very challenging. Events of the past few weeks make it inevitable that these conversations will be happening amongst your team in the firehouse. While we typically try to minimize these types of discussions at work, the simple fact that we live and work together makes simply ignoring or avoiding the issues impossible.

To provide some tools and tips for firefighters/company officers in how to initiate and have productive and thoughtful dialogue is the goal of our show. The more we can speak to each other in ways that create understanding, even when we strongly disagree with what is being said, the better chance we have of maintaining team unity, operational effectiveness, and relational understanding.

We are not attempting to answer the larger questions and issues being discussed in our society today. A radio show with short segments simply does not allow for the fuller development of ideas needed. But we feel hearing from some of our finest firefighters in the nation discussing how they have had success talking about these difficult areas may provide you with strategies/tactics to use in your own firehouse.

FDIC2020 You Can Get There From Here

Had it not been for the COVID19 outbreak and life continuing on its merry way, I would have been at #FDIC2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana (God-willing).

I was honored to be invited to give the Opening Ceremony Speech, this year.  But that was not to be.  I want to thank Bobby and the Committee for that honor.  I was, however, rewarded with another honor because of this crisis.  I got to see my department the New Haven Fire Department ramp up and stand up to this pandemic.

I could not be more proud as a firefighter and Fire Chief.

Even though my speech was written for a different time and different place, the values still hold true. 

You Can Get There From Here.  Find the positive.  Don’t feed the negative. #PatienceNotPanic 

There is a new normal forming and we have to be a part of it or be out of step.  The difference between dinosaurs and crocodiles is that one of them adapted to their environment and the other became extinct. 

Take care of yourselves and your families. 

Learn to Lead Through Crisis and I’ll see you on the other side.

A Place for Fire Officers and those who aspire to be…