The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Weekly Scrap #365 – Candace Ashby: The Greatest Job on Earth

Dr. Candace Ashby returns to The Weekly Scrap for a conversation every firefighter needs to hear. With over three decades in the fire service, a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, and years of experience climbing through the ranks, Candace—currently serving as a Battalion Chief—has become a respected voice on leadership, accountability, and protecting the culture that makes this profession unlike any other.We'll dive into what truly makes firefighting the greatest job on Earth, why that culture is worth fighting for, and how company officers and firefighters at every rank have the ability to shape the future of the fire service through their daily actions, conversations, and commitment to one another.If you've ever wondered how we preserve what makes this profession special while continuing to grow as leaders, this conversation will challenge your perspective and leave you thinking long after it's over.And because the live audience and their questions help make this show the absolute best.. we'll start with a plan, but where the conversation ends up is anyone's guess. Join us live, bring your questions, and be part of the discussion.Episode 365 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose, IdentiFire Safety, and the Fire Safety Research Institute. For more on FSRI, visit the special page created just for Weekly Scrap listeners: fsri.org/weeklyscrap

Weekly Scrap #364 – Benjamin Martin: Intoxicated Leadership

Benjamin Martin is coming back to the Scrap, and we've got more to unpack than we'll have time to cover.Benjamin started his career riding the jump seat of a busy urban engine company and recently retired as an Acting Battalion Chief after more than 23 years in the fire service.Many of you know him through EmbraceTheResistance.com, his articles, podcast appearances, or his nationally recognized class, Intoxicated Leadership.Over the last decade, he's challenged many of the assumptions inherited about leadership, helping firefighters at every rank recognize the hidden forces that shape culture, leadership, and performance... and what we can actually do about them.Benjamin isn't afraid to go where a lot of leadership conversations stop. He's willing to talk about the mistakes, the burnout, the difficult conversations, the organizational politics, and the emotional weight that comes with trying to do right by your people. He believes credibility isn't built only on the fireground but rather around the kitchen table, in the hallway, and during the conversations most people would rather avoid.If your ego's flammable... consider this your warning.Some of the rabbit holes we hope to head down include why leaders shouldn't always eat last, why organizations push back against improvement, and why good people quietly stop caring.As always, the live audience helps drive where this conversation goes. Some of my favorite episodes have taken unexpected turns because of the questions and comments coming from the chat.

Weekly Scrap #363 – Jerry Wells: Stories and Relationships

Joined on this episode by Jerry Wells! Jerry retired as a Battalion Chief from the Lewisville (TX) Fire Department after 35 years in the fire service. Throughout his career, he's taught firefighters across the country while challenging them to think differently about the profession.We'll dive into some of the ideas that have shaped Jerry's career, including what "The Kitchen Table" really means, why every firefighter needs an equity stake in their department, the importance firehouse stories and kitchen table conversations have, how culture is built through ownership instead of obligation, and why Jerry believes firefighting is the ultimate team sport.As always, the audience helps drive the conversation, so get your big, beautiful questions ready, and we'll gladly head down whatever rabbit hole the live chat takes us.Episode 363 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-Tite Hose and IdentiFire Safety.

Weekly Scrap #362 - Stephen Runyan: A lot about peptides

Stephen Runyan, aka Tommy Gunn, is coming back to The Scrap, and this one is going to be loaded... again!With more than 20 years in the fire service, Stephen has dedicated his career to developing firefighters, challenging conventional thinking, and sharing the lessons he's learned from some of the best mentors in the profession.A Georgia Smoke Diver, FDIC H.O.T. Class Specialist, Wichita Fire Department Hiring Coordinator, and Wichita HOT Board Member and Instructor, Stephen has become a respected instructor in the fire service, teaching firefighters across the country and helping shape the way many approach the job.If you've seen Stephen teach or heard him speak before, you already know he isn't afraid to challenge the way we think.  He deep dives into his peptide journey and explains where it started and what he has learned along the way.                          .. there is no shortage of great information.As always, the audience helps drive the conversation, so get  ready, as we head down whatever rabbit hole the live chat takes us.Episode 362 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-Tite Hose and Fire Station Furniture.

Weekly Scrap #361 - Dana Larkin: Training and the F.O.O.L.S

Joined on this episode by my friend, the one and only Dana Larkin!Dana currently serves as Battalion Chief with Camano Island Fire & Rescue, leading C-Shift while overseeing the department's training division. From starting as a volunteer in 2001 to becoming one of the driving forces behind firefighter development, Dana has spent years building firefighters, officers, and future leaders.Beyond his department, Dana founded the Cascade F.O.O.L.S. chapter in 2019, served four years as Chapter President, and now serves as Treasurer for F.O.O.L.S. International. His passion for the fire service, leadership, and training has made him a respected voice across the country.This conversation is going to be packed, so get your notebooks and pens ready! We'll be discussing what F.O.O.L.S. really stands for, why membership and getting involved matter, and why every firefighter should make it a priority to attend conferences and get outside of their own bubble. We'll also dive into the leadership epidemic of micromanagement, how to build leaders before you need them, why succession planning is often overlooked, and why so many organizations are focused on recruitment while neglecting retention. We'll also tackle how we may be unintentionally creating imposter syndrome in the academy, why hearing the same message from a different voice can completely change someone's perspective, how the Task–Tactic–Strategy model can help develop better officers, and why simply talking to people, sharing ideas, and learning from others can have such a profound impact on both your career and your department. If time allows, we'll also get into lessons Dana has learned from training hundreds of firefighters, leading live-fire instruction, developing cadets, and how his journey through F.O.O.L.S. changed the trajectory of both his career and his outlook on the fire service.As always, the live audience helps drive the discussion, and we gladly head down whatever rabbit hole their questions take us. Episode 361 made possible by our incredible sponsors:   Snap-Tite Hose   -  IdentiFire  -  Flame Decon