Peter Matthews is joined by former U.S. Marine Daniel Byrne; T.J. Cullison, who served in the U.S. Army; and A.J. Kehl, who just retired from a career in the U.S. Air Force. They discuss the similarities and differences between serving in the fire service and military and what carried over from their time serving in the U.S. military to the firehouse and what Veterans Day means to them.

They offer insight into the various military benefits, from the journeyman program, education and promotional points to other services for veterans, plus a look at mental health, and share the one military lesson that they continue to use today.

Related Links:

• Daniel Byrne’s Firehouse.com bio pages and content
• A.J. Kehl’s Firehouse.com bio page and content
• My Rich Uncle: An Informal Guide to Maximizing Your Enlistment

Michael Daley joins Peter Matthews to discuss firefighter training today with a look at training challenges expected over the next five years, including new responses such as electric vehicles, and the abilities and skills news firefighters bring to the job.

Daley, a proponent of well-trained and educated firefighters, says firefighters should train to a level or professionalism – whether volunteer or career – to be able to handle whatever they encounter. He discusses what training officers need to do to incorporate historical events into training, how to build a training calendar and how to ensure that members do not lose the drive to train.

Related links:

• Training Doesn't Have Time for Rain Delays
• Company-Level Training Ideas for all Firefighters
• Michael Daley’s bio and article on Firehouse.com
• Fire Service Performance Concepts

Peter Matthews talks with Chief Kristopher Blume about the realities of leading fire departments today, as they evolve quicker than ever and what is driving people away from the fire service in historic numbers.

Blume highlights key parts of his recently published book, Carry the Fire: The Crucible of Leadership in the Fire Service and the two discuss the background of his recent Firehouse.com article, “Beyond the Smoke: What Is Driving People Away from the Fire Service?” and what three key factors are causing serious issues int fire department ranks.

Related links:

• Carry the Fire: The Crucible of Leadership in the Fire Service
• Beyond the Smoke: What Is Driving People Away from the Fire Service?
• Kristopher Blume’s bio and article on Firehouse.com