FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the sh...
Extra Alarm: ‘The Great AI Lie’ – greater efficiency does not always equate to improved mental health
This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Division Chief Chad Crouse, who addresses the impact of AI on mental health and productivity in the fire service. He observes that fire chiefs tend to use time saved by AI to do more at work rather than focusing time saved on personal wellness. Highlighting a cultural expectation that productivity equals success, Chief Crouse calls for a shift in how we deploy technology in order to reclaim time for personal health and relationships. Read the article on FireRescue1.
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10:05
Introducing the Firefighter Mayday Survey with Lt. Bassel Ibrahim
Orlando Lt. Bassel Ibrahim is carrying the mayday research torch through the launch of the Firefighter Mayday Survey. The project is a variation and continuation of Don Abbott’s Project Mayday following the chief’s death in 2022. Ibrahim shares what drove him to take on such a huge project, which shares real-world mayday and near-miss data to improve firefighter safety, training and tactics. We dig into all things mayday research, plus all this:
Proactive vs. reactive RIT
RIT’s role as jack-of-all-trades
Switching radio channels
The problem with LUNAR
Ibrahim’s own mayday experience
Why “without data, there is no progress”
Watch FireRescue1’s on-demand webinar featuring Lt. Ibrahim: “Mayday survival – personal experiences, practical tactics.”
BONUS: Take the What Firefighters Want in 2025 survey.
This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.
Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback!
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1:07:31
Extra Alarm: ‘I will stay connected to the members’ -- a challenging goal for newly promoted leaders
This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Chief Eric Linnenburger, who focuses on the importance of genuine connection for newly promoted fire service leaders. Linnenburger identifies the challenges leaders face in maintaining a meaningful connection with their teams, backed by What Firefighters Want survey data that reveals a significant disconnect between fire chiefs and line personnel. The chief also shares practical recommendations for building trust and enhancing relationships within the team, emphasizing the necessity of human skills and leading by example rather than from behind a desk.
[Note: The What Firefighters Want in 2025 survey is now live. Share your voice here.]
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11:44
Jo Terry: ‘PTSD does not have to end in tragedy’
Kentucky Assistant Chief Chip Terry called himself a public servant – and lived by those words, shares his widow, Jo Terry: “He was there to serve the public. Now it's our turn to help serve you.” Following Chip’s death by suicide in 2017, Jo started the Chip Terry Fund, which strives to educate first responders and their families about PTSD and provide funding to offer mental health treatments to those in need. Jo shares Chip’s story, including what healthcare provided missed in their assessments and how his PTSD impacted their entire family, plus all this:
The “big warning signs” of a firefighter in crisis, including “Jackass Syndrome”
Why spouses often detect the problem first
The physiological processes that make PTSD difficult to manage alone
Why Jo says, “it shouldn’t be a widow’s job to do this”
Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback!
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1:02:39
Extra Alarm: Leading through the political conversation at the kitchen table
Welcome to FireRescue1’s Extra Alarm – your audible source of original content from FireRescue1. This week’s insights come to us from Eric Latimer, division chief of fire operations for the Springfield (Missouri) Fire Department. Latimer discusses how best to navigate political conversations at the firehouse kitchen table, and emphasizes the need to maintain respect and unity, despite differing opinions, to uphold the mission of effective service delivery. Listen to the end for additional insights from Chief Marc Bashoor.
FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.
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