All Episodes
Fire Chief Bob Horton discusses his career and “reimagining” the fire service regarding recruitment and retention, community risk reduction, and the importance of public policies in achieving the fire service’s goal of protecting and preserving life and property. If you are a Chief Officer struggling with these challenges, this is a must watch/listen episode!
Casey Jones is a Captain and Health & Safety Officer (HSO) for the Little Rock Fire, AR Department, and he was named the 2023 Safety Officer of the Year by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association. Captain Jones holds degrees in Fire Science, Fire Administration, and Business Administration. He is the NFFF Everyone Goes Home advocate for the State of Arkansas and a member of the IAFC, FDSOA, IFE, as well as a Chief Training Officer (CTO) with the CPSE. Casey is also a writer for International Fire Fighter magazine and the International Fire and Safety Journal.
Retired Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski takes time out of teaching at the National Fire Academy to talk to us about his 31 years of dedicated service. Throughout his journey, he has written countless articles and books regarding the fire service, assessment centers, and professional development.
Code 3 Fire Training & Education- https://www.code3firetraining.com/
Please be aware, episode 15 addresses emotional trauma and suicide.
In this episode, Retired Chief Bearce shares his career as a photojournalist and entry into his second career as a firefighter at age 42.
Retired Battalion Chief Hayowyk discusses the progression of his career, his dedication to the fire service, specifically the training he teaches nationwide, and his involvement with the National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation.
Please be aware, episode 13 addresses emotional trauma and suicidal ideations.
Retired Fire Chief Dave Freeman shares his fire service career, and his experience with the Save the Warrior program.
1. Save A Warrior - https://saveawarrior.org/
a. Information about the organization and how to apply.
2. Adam Young – The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast -
a. Various podcasts related to trauma and healing. https://adamyoungcounseling.com/podcast/
3. Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services - https://mha.ohio.gov/
a. Various resources
4. First Responders Bridge Retreat - https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
a. Information about weekend retreat for first responders and significant other.
5. National Suicide Prevention Hotline - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
a. Resources for suicide crisis and prevention.
6. Sounds True Podcast - https://www.resources.soundstrue.com/podcast/
a. Various podcasts related to meditation and spirituality.
7. Westshore CIRS team
b. Peer supported critical incident response service
8. Warrior Meditation Instruction Video:
a. https://www.facebook.com/SaveAWarrior/videos/2685281381754938
9. Heal Yourself First Facebook Page
a. Chief Freemans page to share resources and offer a platform for discussion.
b. https://www.facebook.com/Heal-Yourself-First-114159287030717
10. Chief Freeman PTSI lecture
a. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1njsyzKb2jpJwO68pgFP9zxkgsNX_FWFY/view?usp=sharing
Fire Chief Michael shares his experience in the fire service.
Chief Aubert-Utz discusses her career with the Baltimore County Fire Department in this episode. Chief Aubert-Utz is a 22-year Baltimore County Fire Department veteran, currently serving as an assistant fire chief. In addition to providing executive leadership and professional oversight to over 1,000 career and 2,000 volunteer members, Aubert-Utz is responsible for preparing and continually reviewing the department’s operating budget, enhancing human relations, and ensuring the fire department is well-represented at all levels of government. Dedicated to the foundations of public service motivation and the advancement of the fire service, Chief Aubert-Utz serves as the chairperson for the Maryland Center for the Study of Health Effects of Fire, a commissioner on the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Fire Rescue Training & Education Commission, a technical expert on the International Fire Service Training Association Fire Service Training publication and training manual revision team, and has served as a professional advisor on the NFPA Responder Forum. Chief Aubert-Utz holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management from Johns Hopkins University, earned the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Designation, and holds several professional fire service affiliations.
In this episode, Chief Wineman shares his career serving in various leadership positions and his experience with line-of-duty deaths.
In this episode, retired Fire Chief Buchanan discusses his tenure in the fire service and the mentorship that he received that propelled him into key leadership roles with several agencies.
In this episode, Fire Chief Brett Reinbolt discusses his transition from the business world to the fire service, where he found his love for the job, who inspired him, and how he inspires those around him.
In this episode, Deputy Fire Chief DeSessa discusses leadership, mentorship mental health, and his love for the fire service.
In this episode, we discuss several mental health topics such as self-care, sleep and diet, substance use, and cumulative stress.
Retired Deputy Fire Chief Michael Allora discusses his career in the fire service.
Michael Benson discusses his career. Beginning as a part-paid firefighter and eventually becoming a Fire Chief, Michael had many challenges he had to overcome. Having his experiences, he was able to mentor many firefighters and other Fire Chiefs.
Retired Fire Chief Robert L. Pursley Jr. discusses his career's pitfalls and milestones while working for the Barberton Fire Department.
In this episode, we discuss why we are putting out this type of content. The Mentors on Fire Podcast seeks to bring inspiration to people to reach their full potential within their professions. The purpose of the podcast is to be an awareness and educational resource for emergency and public service personnel regarding professional development, leadership, behavioral health, service service-specific innovations and trends, and other relevant topics. The Mentors on Fire Podcast will conduct interviews and open discussions with professionals and subject matter experts to impart knowledge, lessons learned, and experiential mentorship to all levels of emergency and public service personnel.