How to Lead When Everything’s Burning Down with Fire Chief David Parsons

2025-06-06

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with Fire Chief David Parsons of the Oceanside Fire Department to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest. Chief Parsons shares the gripping story of the April 2024 Oceanside Pier fire, one of the most high-risk, high-visibility events in the city’s recent history, and how the department’s response became a case study in trust, preparation, and calm under pressure. As the first graduate of the Oceanside Fire Academy to rise to the rank of ...

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with Fire Chief David Parsons of the Oceanside Fire Department to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest.

Chief Parsons shares the gripping story of the April 2024 Oceanside Pier fire, one of the most high-risk, high-visibility events in the city’s recent history, and how the department’s response became a case study in trust, preparation, and calm under pressure. As the first graduate of the Oceanside Fire Academy to rise to the rank of Chief, David reflects on how his leadership style has evolved, the systems that allowed his team to perform at the highest level, and the importance of fostering a culture of humility, readiness, and agility.

Listeners will walk away with practical insights, including:

How to lead with clarity during moments of chaos.
Why trust and preparation are essential in building agile teams.
What it means to make your own luck in leadership.

Whether you're leading a department, a company, or a team of one, this conversation will equip you with timeless leadership principles that transcend industries and emergencies.

Connect with Chief Parsons

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