Épisodes

  • The Silverbacks on Perspective (Part 1)
    Jul 15 2025

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, and John Vance.

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip

    Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com

    All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recorded at the AVB CTC in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2025.

    We explore how perspective in leadership impacts firefighter safety and organizational effectiveness.

    Join us for part 2 next week


    • A number of firefighters involved in recent line-of-duty deaths were between 25-30 years old
    • Danger exists when leaders prioritize being "cool" over passing down hard-earned wisdom
    • Effective leadership requires the ability to say "no" in hazardous situations
    • Perspective naturally evolves with experience and knowledge
    • Tactical supervision (the middle command layer) is critical during extended operations
    • Accountability and kindness are not mutually exclusive leadership traits
    • Consistency in leadership approach across all contexts maintains organizational integrity
    • Operating within effective systems prevents freelancing and improves safety outcomes
    • After-action reviews are essential for continuous improvement and perspective development

    Join us next week for part two of this special podcast on leadership and perspective in the fire service.

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    37 min
  • Eight No-Brainer Boss Strategies
    Dec 17 2024

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison and John Vance.

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://youtu.be/-Wb5lA6f1uw

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip

    Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com

    All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter

    Read the "8 No Brainer Boss Strategies" article here: https://conta.cc/3zY8FOH

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recorded November 14, 2024 at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, AZ.

    Leadership in the fire service isn't just about strategy; it's about knowing when to step back and let the team shine. Through real-life stories and key learnings from industry veterans, we highlight the balancing act of power, recognition, and accountability within fire departments. From the dynamics of operational versus administrative roles to the critical importance of maintaining focus on core values, our discussion offers a candid look at the complexities of leadership.

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    1 h et 17 min
  • Ask The Chiefs; Pretty Good Career Advice
    May 14 2024

    This week, we will be hosting a Q&A session with the chiefs - Terry Garrison, Nick Brunancini, John Vance, and Greg Timinsky, to answer questions submitted by B Shifter listeners. We understand that dealing with a non-progressive fire chief who denies outside training requests can be challenging, but we have some insights that can help you navigate through the resistance. We will be discussing strategies for personal growth and the systemic issues of departments that avoid progressive leadership. We will also be drawing parallels to the importance of continuous training. Our conversation will extend to the repercussions chiefs may face when they fail to adapt and nurture their department’s personnel.

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Josh Blum, Greg Timinsky and John Vance.

    B Shifter Buckslip: No one listened to the workers better than Bruno. In this edition's Silverback Leadership column, 17 observations from the workers that Big Al collected through the years. Read it here: https://conta.cc/4a8M11Z

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip

    Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com

    Register for the 2024 Hazard Zone Conference here: http://hazardzonebc.com/

    All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recorded at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona on May 9, 2024.

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    58 min
  • Ask The Chiefs - The Lost Episode
    May 23 2023

    Somehow we misplaced this episode, but hallelujah- we found it! That means three more B Shifter's get a t-shirt!

    We asked for questions for the chiefs and we received some good ones! This episode we discuss the paramilitary structure of fire departments, officers who push back on good radio communications and avoiding burnout.

    Every question we use will get a Bruno OG IC T-Shirt.

    This episode features Terry Garrison, Nick Brunacini and John Vance.

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)!

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here.

    Shop B Shifter here.

    The Hazard Zone Conference is back. Register here!

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

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    51 min
  • ATC - Arbitration Overturned Firing & Keeping Passion for the Job!
    Apr 17 2023

    This is another round of Ask The Chiefs!

    We asked for questions for the chiefs and we received some good ones! Every question we use will get a Bruno OG IC T-Shirt. This time around we discussed dealing with those who get their jobs back trough arbitration and keeping the passion for our jobs in leadership.

    This episode features Terry Garrison, Nick Brunacini and John Vance.

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)!

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here.

    Shop B Shifter here.

    The Hazard Zone Conference is back. Register here!

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recored in Phoenix, AZ at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center.

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    1 h et 1 min
  • Ask The Chiefs Part 1
    Mar 29 2023

    Part 1 of 2

    We asked for questions for the chiefs and we received some good ones! Every question we use will get a Bruno OG IC T-Shirt.

    This episode features Terry Garrison, Nick Brunacini and John Vance.

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)!

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here.

    Shop B Shifter here.

    The Hazard Zone Conference is back. Register before April 1 and save $100! Register here!

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recored in Phoenix, AZ at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center on March 18, 2023

    Please subscribe!

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    43 min
  • Boss Behaviors - It's About the Work!
    Feb 14 2023

    Alan Brunacini left a lot of unpublished materials and programs that were in the progress of completion when he passed away. Terry Garrison and Nick Brunacini are putting all of those works together for a leadership program for the fire service using the "Brunacini model" of fire department leadership.

    We talk about that and some of this leadership lessons that have been applied from what Bruno taught us such as second chance management, the difference between a political fire chief & a "firefighters" fire chief.

    This episode features Terry Garrison, Nick Brunacini and John Vance.

    Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here.

    Shop B Shifter here.

    The Hazard Zone Conference is back. Register before April 1 and save $100! Register here!

    Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!

    This episode was recored in Phoenix, AZ at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center on January 26, 2023

    Please subscribe!

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    59 min
  • Leadership Thursday
    Dec 15 2022

    It's Leadership Thursday so we gathered the chief's around the table to talk about stuff on the strategic level and tell a few light hearted stories too. It like having microphones at a support group for chief officers (and you are invited too!). This week we talk about ballistic protection for firefighters, alternative response and taking care of the safety of Firefighters while de-victimizing our customers.

    This episode features Terry Garrison, Nick Brunacini and John Vance.

    Sign up for our two day command training workshops here.

    Shop B Shifter here.

    This episode was recored in Phoenix, AZ at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center.

    Please subscribe!

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    39 min