Better Every Shift

• ‘Restore classes immediately’: Fire service leaders urge action after NFA training cancellations

  “There’s no better time than now to watch the Fire Service One Voice message being exercised,” notes former U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell on this week’s podcast. The collective message from fire service leaders and organizations focuses on the importance of the National Fire Academy – an institution that, effective Friday, was shuttered for all in-person and instructor-led training, FEMA says as part of a review of programs and funding. Along with Dr. Moore-Merrell, IAFC President Fire Chief Josh Waldo and FireRescue1 Senior Fire Advisor Chief Marc Bashoor call for the immediate reopening of the NFA and, quite simply, ask the Administration to share the plan here – after all, fire service leaders could certainly help in the effort. Furthermore, they reiterate that while “no one wants waste, fraud and abuse,” there are ways to review funding without shuttering critical training programs. This is not about politics; it’s about service. Additional resources: ‘This is a travesty’: Fire service leaders react to NFA training cancellations IAFC calls on Trump administration to reopen the National Fire Academy The big picture: FEMA, DOGE and your local fire department IAFC members can contact their Senators and Representatives and ask them to reopen the NFA.

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• Chief Kevin Quinn: ‘If you do retention right, you don’t have a recruitment problem’

  Recruitment and retention are critical issues impacting fire departments across the country, and while it’s important to level up our efforts there, Deputy Chief (ret.) Kevin Quinn emphasizes a third R – replacement, as in, succession planning. Chief Quinn, who served for over 40 years on the board of the NVFC, certainly understands the importance of such long-term vision and planning, as he has mentored and empowered countless emerging leaders throughout his career. It’s one of the reasons Quinn was recently recognized with the CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. We talk with Quinn about the award, his impactful career, plus all this: The final goal he hopes to achieve in the final stretch of his fire service career Elevating volunteers above “second-class citizen” status in the fire service The need for unity across fire service organizations The one certification he wasn’t interested in getting during his career Maintaining the sizzle factor and the juggle factor 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. Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

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• Extra Alarm: How battalion chiefs can win the hearts of their firefighters

  This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Battalion Chief Ben Thompson from the Birmingham Fire Department. The article explores how battalion chiefs can earn the respect and trust of their firefighters through personal interactions that display compassion. Thompson recounts personal experiences to illustrate these qualities, emphasizing the importance of handling small, day-to-day moments with care and empathy. Read the article on FireRescue1.com.

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• ‘Hyper-connected to the people we serve’: Chief Dean Crispen talks SFFD goals

  Shortly after taking the helm as fire chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, Dean Crispen received the advice to “just be true to your basic values” – perfect guidance for someone whose values are focused on love for the city and wanting it to succeed, particularly after some challenging years. As the city continues to move in an upward trajectory, Crispen’s focus is on making the department hyper-connected to the people it serves. Crispen shares his vision for the department, plus we dig into all of this: Monday morning EOC activations for disaster preparedness Captains as the first point of contact for the community Why the busiest station is the safest station Biggest misconceptions about San Francisco WUI training in city environments The power of knowing your blind spots Email [email protected] to share your feedback!

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• Extra Alarm: What you need to know about the Social Security Fairness Act

  This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Joan Hill, who details the need-to-know information about the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Hill explains the changes and their implications for firefighters, answering key questions like: Who benefits from the Social Security Fairness Act? Will benefits be retroactive? What is the implementation timeline of the Social Security Fairness Act? How can I maximize my benefits after the Social Security Fairness Act? Read the original article on FireRescue1.

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