Better Every Shift

• ‘Release of calmness’: Detailing the procedure helping firefighters manage PTSD

  “The calmness comes because the fire alarm in the brain has stopped flogging your body.” That’s how Dr. Jim Lynch describes the effect of a stellate ganglion block — an injection he says turns off the unproductive and chronic fight-or-flight response experienced by many firefighters with PTSD or anxiety conditions. Dr. Lynch details the science behind the procedure, and Firefighter Paul Duran shares not only his experience the SGB procedure but also what made him seek out this treatment in the first place. Learn more about SGB treatments. 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.

  --------  

  54:48
• ‘Everything went lights out’: SoCal firefighter details close call

  “I thought he was dead. He thought I was dead.” Firefighter Andrew Klein shares the harrowing story of a recent flashover that left him disoriented and worried his captain was dead in the same terrifying instant his captain thought Klein was dead. Klein shares the play by play of the commercial fire scene — a light smoke condition that turned violent eruption where “everything went lights out.” He details what happened, what saved him and how he’s managing his mental health post-incident. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback.

  --------  

  1:12:38
• Extra Alarm: Squad programs — reshaping fire response

  This week’s Extra Alarm insights come to us from Assistant Chief Chad Costa, highlighting squad programs as a solution to rising medical call volumes in fire services. Squad programs involve deploying smaller, specialized units for medical emergencies, preserving larger apparatus for critical incidents and extending their operational lifespan. Costa argues that these programs enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery by implementing data-driven decision-making, tiered response models, and strategic staffing adjustments. The ultimate goal is to maintain high service standards while ensuring personnel wellness and resource longevity.

  --------  

  13:58
• ‘I don’t want to see grieving families’: Danny Kistner talks NFFF mission and support

  “There’s always a better way to do something; we just haven’t discovered it yet.” Chief Danny Kistner, the new director of fire service programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, underscores the need for continuous improvement, especially when it comes to finding new ways to reduce firefighter LODDs. Kistner details the threefold mission of the NFFF, highlighting that while supporting firefighter families after a tragedy is the core mission, the foundation is also deeply committed to preventing such tragedies in the first place. Kistner outlines many vital NFFF programs and how all firefighters can get involved, whether becoming an advocate, offering department training, encouraging safe practices or any one of the many other means of support. Learn more: Fire Programs and Events Fire Hero Learning Network 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. Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback.

  --------  

  53:12
• Accreditation in action: CPSE’s Preet Bassi talks tracking FD practices and progress

  “We often do what is inspected, not what is expected.” Preet Bassi, CEO for the Center for Public Safety Excellence, joins the show this week to talk fire department (and personal) accountability and improvement, specifically through the process of accreditation and credentialing. Bassi underscores that if a department doesn’t have a way to track their practices and progress, it could go from being a progressive, emerging department to one that’s considered old school before its leaders realize the speed of regression. Bassi also delves into AI in the fire service: how departments are using AI in their workflows; the power of getting to the correct answer, just faster; and her plug for “more human humans.” Bonus resources: Arthur J. Glatfelter Fire & Emergency Services Scholarship Foundation and CPSE scholarships. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com. Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share your feedback.

  --------  

  55:27

More Government podcasts

Trending Government podcasts

About Better Every Shift