Fire Headlines

Outcomes: Part 1

The Fire Headlines team received a listener email from a fire service leader inquiring about the concept of Outcomes in the fire service. The email mentions the struggle it has been to operationalize the concept of outcomes in their organization. Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion is joined by a panel of experts to help dissect this topic.
On the panel this week is Chief Jeff Buchanan, joined by Dr. Matt Hinds-Aldrich, a senior risk strategy lead at the American Association of Insurance Services, and his co-worker Sara Wood, an expert in Community Risk Reduction and Data Analysis.
 
Chief Bob Horton is away this week.

Mixed-Use Fire Stations

Dr. Matt Hinds-Aldrich, a senior risk strategy lead at the American Association of Insurance Services, and Retired Deputy Chief of the Atlanta Fire Department, Byron Kennedy, join Chief Bob Horton on the panel to discuss mixed-use fire stations with Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion. Chief Jeff Buchanan is away this week.
This week’s guests bring their valuable insights and expertise to the table as they discuss an article featured in the Daily Dispatch, which highlights the upcoming construction of apartments atop Fire Station 15 in midtown Atlanta. Many community members are surprised by this new development, but how new is this concept and what should be taken into consideration when gathering the funds for mixed-use fire stations?

Cash Bonuses Amid Staffing Shortages

The Daily Dispatch recently featured an article about Baltimore City’s initiative to address a shortage of emergency medical services (EMS) providers by introducing a recruitment and retention bonus program offering $7,500. This program is aimed at making Baltimore more competitive in attracting EMS providers amid a shrinking candidate pool. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by a panel consisting of Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan to discuss their experiences and thoughts around hiring incentives as well as recruitment and retention. 

Consolidation in Fire Departments

This week’s episode of Fire Headlines is “Dealer’s Choice,” where a member of the team selects a topic of their choice for discussion. Chief Bob Horton takes the helm with his chosen topic: consolidation in fire departments. He engages in conversation with Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Jeff Buchanan. Their dialogue centers around an article that explores the Sunbury Fire Department’s decision to consolidate six agencies into a unified entity. During the episode, both Chief Horton and Chief Buchanan analyze the benefits and challenges associated with this consolidation, drawing upon their own experiences with similar situations.

NextGen Bulletproof Firefighter Helmet

A recent article published in the Daily Dispatch highlights the latest advancements in firefighter helmets, showcasing next-generation designs that offer protection not only against fires, but also against bullets. These helmets also promise to reduce the risk of blunt head trauma and improve mobility and postural stability. On Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by the panel, consisting of Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan. Together, they discuss the challenges that need to be addressed for the adoption of advanced helmets, while also exploring the potential benefits these helmets could offer.

The Elijah McClain Case

A recent article discusses the verdict of a critical case from Colorado involving the death of Elijah McClain. The incident occurred in 2019 when McClain, detained by the police, was subjected to a chokehold and injected with a powerful sedative by paramedics on the scene. Those two paramedics were later found guilty in the death of McClain. Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion is joined by the panel, Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan to discuss the challenges faced by paramedics in cases at the intersection of law enforcement and medical response.

Historical Fires and Commanding a Type 1 Incident

The Daily Dispatch recently featured two articles discussing anniversaries of significant historical fires. The first covers the Deadliest Nightclub Fire that occurred on November 28, 1942, the other focuses on the Worcester Cold Storage Fire from December 3, 1999. Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion is joined by a panel compromising Chief Bob Horton, Chief Jeff Buchanan, and the first special guest of 2024, Chief Rich Harvey. Chief Harvey, with over 20 years of experience in incident management and currently serving as the Fire Chief for Central Lyon County Fire Protection District, offers valuable insights into historical wildfires and commanding Type 1 incidents.

Top Episode of 2023: Firefighter Fitness

To kick off the year 2024, the Fire Headlines team presents the most-listened episode of 2023. Enjoy the discussion and be sure to tune in next week for a brand new episode of Fire Headlines.
The Mayo Clinic Health System and the La Crosse Fire Department in Wisconsin have joined forces in a sports science collaboration. Utilizing technology-based systems, they are assessing the mobility of each firefighter to create personalized exercise regimes to improve strength and stamina. Firefighting requires a combination of physical fitness and endurance, yet the definition of physical fitness can vary for each individual. Dr. Kelly Morgan, our guest expert, shares her insight on the important parts of fitness, including body composition measurement and the development of tailored training regimens.

What To Look Forward To In 2024

This week’s episode is a follow-up to last week’s, where we reflect on 2023 and anticipate what to look forward to in 2024. Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion and panelists Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan lead the discussion alongside special guests Dr. Andrew Holter and Kevin Sofen. Together, they explore topics related to organizational psychology and public safety technology. Additionally, each panelist offers their best advice and provides insights into the projects they are working on in 2024.

2023: A Year in Review

In this week’s episode, Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion is joined by panelists Chief Bob Horton, Chief Jeff Buchanan, and special guests Dr. Andrew Holter and Kevin Sofen. In this unique episode, the panel reviews the major events in the fire service for 2023. Our two expert guests share valuable insights into the psychological and technological aspects of these developments.