Category Archives: Podcast

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.

2019 DATELINE New Haven: WNHH Interview

Interview with New Haven WNHH Station Owner Paul Bass

Thanx for the opportunity to highlight the great work of the #NHFD. I hope we can do it again, I feel the interview focused a lot on me. I am more interested in the work that we are doing in the City of New Haven and the incredible job done everyday by the proud men and women of our organization. Thanx to all of the folks who tuned in and for your words of encouragement.

No one gets anywhere on their own. Someone aids, helps, assists or “drives” them to the next level. I appreciate every experience and encounter that I have had. “The Good, The Bad or Indifferent…”

FOTRUST – Interview with Captain Tiffanye Wesley

Captain Tiffanye Wesley and her team guard the U.S. Pentagon.  Along with this trusted position, she is an author, leader and continues to inspire others. She speaks about her challenges and her perseverance.  I continue to see her on the national stage and she is always willing and able to support others and share.

Tiffanye S. Wesley is celebrated as a leader and trailblazer. The leadership trainer and inspirational speaker is also a Fire/EMS Captain II with the Arlington County Fire Department in Arlington, Virginia – the first African American female to be promoted to this level of leadership in the department’s 71-year history.

A 24-year veteran of the Arlington County Fire Department, Tiffanye has served in numerous positions. The most notable positions include Nationally Certified Bomb Technician and Bomb Commander, Station Commander for the largest and busiest firehouse in Arlington and most recently Acting Battalion Chief where she is responsible for effective supervision, management and coordination of emergency scene operations, as well as; daily operations of a battalion (5 fire stations).

Though known for putting out fires, she also ignites audiences as a leadership trainer often focusing on leading with integrity and respect.

http://tiffanyewesley.com/

Tiffanye also recently released her published work in the book anthology, No More Chains. Her story is also profiled in a 2017 documentary by the same title.

Glue Nation at i-Women 2018

GLUE is a universal resource for the growth and development of EMPOWERment paradigms. This program is certain to develop strong leaders in all ranks of your organization.

The “GLUE Guys” touch on vital issues that reaffirm the connections to the communities and people we serve.  Their unique brand of leadership empowerment brings focus on the individual leader and their growth through principled leadership!


I have been following the G.L.U.E. Guys for quite some time now.  Their innovative approach to leadership development has the all-access flavor that is necessary in today’s business market.  Although I have primarily seen their work in the emergency management sector, I recognize those foundational principles that are the hallmark of successful leaders and organizations.

Larry Conley Radio Show – June 18, 2018

June 17, 2018

Listen in on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 6:30 PM CST/ 7:30 PM EST.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio

Leadership Development Concepts, LLC is dedicated to improving lives through personal development and building a path to personal leadership.

FOTRUST – Interview with Fire Chief Reggie Freeman

Transformational Leadership with Fire Chief Reggie Freeman

While attending a community event in the City of New Haven, Hartford Fire Chief Reggie Freeman and I got the opportunity to “chop it up”  and discuss his passion with Transformational Leadership.  Chief Freeman’s approach to management is crisp and to the point.  He has the innate ability to inspire and encourage leaders.

Please give a listen and share this great insight that Chief Freeman has been espousing all over the globe.

Reginald D. Freeman, MS, CFO, FIFireE

On February 1, 2016, Reginald D. Freeman was sworn in as the 37th Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director for the City of Hartford. Prior to the City of Hartford, Chief Freeman served as Fire Chief for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Ft. Worth, TX also known as U.S. Air Force Plant 4. In addition to his duties as Chief of Department to the team in Ft. Worth, Chief Freeman provided international guidance and direction to the Italian and Japanese governments through the Ministry of Defence by providing training and consulting to each nation’s Air Force Fire Department personnel, respectively as it pertains to the F-35 Lightning. Furthermore, Chief Freeman served as the Assistant Chief/Deputy Director of Emergency Management for the City of Hartford, CT as well as Fire Chief for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA. (U.S. Air Force Plant 6) where he was named Professional of the Year in 2009.

Chief Freeman served in Iraq as a civilian Fire Chief for the U.S. Department of Defense and coalition allies from 2004 to 2008, providing all hazards fire and emergency services to forward and continuing operating bases throughout Iraq. His last assignment was at their headquarters on Camp Victory in Baghdad as the Chief of Compliance, Safety, & Planning where he helped managed more than 700 firefighters and nearly 25,000 calls per year.  He has worked in a number of fire service capacities in his career including Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Fire Captain, Fire Service Instructor, Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Chief.

Fire Chief Reggie Freeman

Chief Freeman’s educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership from Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. He earned his Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ and he is currently a Doctoral student in dissertation phase studying Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development. Chief Freeman is also a graduate and Fellow of Harvard University’s Senior Executives for State & Local Government program at the Kennedy School of Government. Chief Freeman previously served as the Chair of the Industrial Fire & Life Safety Section for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and a previous Board member of the Executive Fire Officer Section of the IAFC and Technical Committee member of NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer Professional Qualifications), respectively. Additionally, Chief Freeman serves as the Chair for the Commission on Professional Credentialing via the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. and is also the Director of Training for the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs. Lastly, Chief Freeman is an accredited Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. as well as a credentialed “Fellow” with the Institution of Fire Engineers, USA Branch. Lastly, Chief Freeman serves on the Board of Directors for NFPA.

Chief Freeman is an Adjunct Professor for Anna Maria College and the University of Florida where he lectures in both undergraduate and graduate Fire Science and Master of Public Administration programs.

The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation

While attending the 2018 i-Women Conference, I had the most fortunate opportunity to sit down with Ms. Cindy Ell of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation.

The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation:

Working to Extinguish Fire Fighter Cancer

Firefighters dedicate their lives to the service of others. The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation was established in 2004 to provide international outreach, support, and resource assistance programs for firefighters and family members that are stricken by cancer. 

The Foundation is creating state of the art programs for cancer education, awareness, research and prevention to ensure the quality of life and retirement of fire fighters around  the world.

Cindy is a wealth of information and showed us many of the products and information packs that they have developed to help educate Fire Fighters and their families.   We had the chance to talk about Cancer, as it relates to the work environment and the impact it has on first responders and our families. It was one of the most uplifting discussions I have had on this subject.  Cindy is a driven advocate for healthy Fire Fighters and their families.

There was such a wide range of topics and programs that we encourage you to visit their website at:  www.ffcancer.org

And then donate…

2018 Black Heritage Ball Keynote

Had the tremendous opportunity to spend an evening sharing some ideas on Black Heritage.  I want to thank Leonard Webb of Ethnic Online for asking me to participate in the program.  There was spoken word, an African American Heritage Showroom, a funky band and then there was me…

This type of event and venue always presents new challenges to public speaking, as you must share with a crowd that came to eat, dance, have a good time and talk about of rich heritage.  It becomes a greater challenge when you have to speak in between a band break at 9:40 p.m..

Having my Dad, John, Sr., in the audience made it so much better and I hope the ad-hoc audio recording plays well enough for you to get the message of what I hoped to accomplish.

Training the New Firefighter

I haven’t been active on social media, blogs or podcasts, in over a year.  Some may know that I retired from the Jersey City Fire Department with 31 years.

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to the Connecticut Fire Service Instructor’s Association. The topic was training the new firefighter.

It was an informal talk at their Annual Meeting.   The audio is what it is, due to the fact that I did not record the talk in my usual fashion. 🙂

We talked about the classic model of training:

Prepare

Present

Apply

Test

Follow-up

And if you want further information:

Hope it works for you!

Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition

One might wonder how a Jersey City fire fighter ended up participating in  Junior Fire Fire Fighter Competition in Warren County, North Carolina.  No wonder at all.  My Dad was born 8 miles from there in Littleton, NC.  I was invited to speak at the African American Heritage Festival last year, when they honored Firefighters.  There I met some great folks….Fire Chief & Mayor Gardner, Chief Advisor John Franks, Chaplain Stith and J. Greene.  As firefighters do, we hit it of.  I told them about my years of coming back to North Carolina and about my love for our noble profession.

They shared the workings of the various departments and EMS.  Our friendship was formed.  Firefighters are the same, all over!

What an excellent couple of days spent with the Warren County (NC) Junior Firefighters, as they hosted the 2016 Junior Fire Fighter Competition.  I want to thank Chief Advisor, John Franks for his warm invitation and welcome to share with the Juniors.  We spent a great day with them and groups from West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and neighboring areas.  The spirit of competition and camaraderie, among the groups and supporters, was a true inspiration.  I particularly liked the fact that on several occasions faster team members completed their tasks and rather than run on to complete their “personal best time”, they stayed in the zone and helped their teammates complete their task…an example for us all.

Hoseline tug-of-war competition. This was an exhilarating battle between several young teen groups.  Their perseverance and attention to details won the battle for them.  Stellar examples of  situational awareness!DSC_4334

Learned a great lesson from these young people…don’t give up and rely on your training.  There were several times that it looked like the battle would go one way. These young crews dug in and moved the barrel. I over heard a few of the coaches relate these incidents to fire fighting.  Telling them how hold the line, work the nozzle and how to back each other up.

Here is a unique chance to see teamwork and team-building, from the host group Warrenton.

There were several other events.  I’ll post more when I’m back…

 

FDIC2016: Kaizen & the 7 C’s

How do you improve on improvement? How do you make improvement part of an on-going process? This short clip is a session wrap up. It concludes with the theory of “Kaizen”; small incremental changes towards the greater good. Utilizing input from all areas.

‪#‎FDIC2016‬ Only 3 days before the largest Firefighter Conference in the world. (Over 30,000 FF’s and Instructors)

I hope you can attend but also hope you find time to stop by my workshop on Leadership. My session is April 19, 2016, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Room 134-135 on the main floor. ‪#‎fireofficertrust‬

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