In this episode, Nate House, a 24-year firefighter, 20-year paramedic and 15-year police officer shares his journey in the emergency services and the importance of mentorship. He discusses the field training officer (FTO) model, its impact on new officers, and his experience as a K9 handler. Nate emphasizes the need for standardized mentorship programs and the adverse effects of poor mentorship. He also shares a memorable story from his time as a K9 handler.

Nate House shares his experience transitioning from law enforcement to the fire service and his passion for mentorship. He discusses his role as a public safety officer overseeing the fire division and his challenges in implementing change.

Nate explains how he started In-House Solutions, a company focused on mentorship in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the fire service and the need for standardized training for all firefighters. Nate also highlights the difference between leadership and mentorship and the role of mentorship in entry-level positions.

The conversation explores the importance of having trained and dedicated Field Training Officers (FTOs) in the fire service. It highlights the need for FTOs who genuinely want to mentor and support recruits rather than just going through the motions. The conversation also touches on the value of mentorship programs for company officers and the benefits of formalizing the FTO role.

The FTO program is seen as a way to improve recruitment and retention in the fire service by creating a positive work environment and providing support for new hires. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy and creating a culture of success within the fire service. In this conversation, Nate House discusses the importance of mentorship in the fire service and shares his experiences and insights. He emphasizes the need for reverse mentoring, where newer firefighters have something to teach the more experienced ones.

Nate also discusses his field training officer (FTO) role and its challenges and opportunities. He highlights the significance of being relevant and staying engaged in the fire service. Nate shares his pride in being published in Fire Engineering and his goal of spreading the message of mentorship to fire departments across the country.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor

01:12 Nate House's Background and Introduction

02:28 Starting in the Emergency Services

04:16 Transitioning to Law Enforcement

08:04 The Field Training Officer (FTO) Model

12:34 The Role of a Field Training Officer

19:11 FTO Training and Individual Agency Standards

25:08 Becoming a K9 Handler

27:29 Memorable K9 Handler Story

27:57 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to the Fire Service

32:31 Implementing Change in the Fire Service

38:44 The Importance of Mentorship in the Fire Service

50:31 In-House Solutions: Focusing on Mentorship

56:42 Differentiating Between Leadership and Mentorship

01:00:23 The Role of Entry-Level Mentorship in the Fire Service

01:01:33 The Importance of Trained and Dedicated FTOs

01:03:36 Mentorship Programs for Company Officers

01:06:36 Creating a Positive Work Environment

01:10:33 Understanding the Power of Mentorship

01:19:36 Challenging the Fire Service Culture

01:27:19 Implementing Change for Safety and Efficiency

01:33:58 Creating a Culture of Yes

01:37:10 The Role of Champions in the Fire Service

01:38:03 The Value of Reverse Mentoring

01:45:47 The Role of a Field Training Officer (FTO)

01:56:01 The Importance of Relevancy

02:01:39 Spreading the Message of Mentorship

In this conversation, Matt Tobia, the current Fire Chief of the Harrisonburg Fire Department discusses his journey in the emergency services and involvement in the National Advisory Committee for OSHA. He talks about the proposed draft regulations for firefighter safety and the importance of managing expectations. Matt also shares his experience in the combination fire service and the challenges and benefits it brings. He emphasizes the need for professionalism and the importance of service to the community. He shares his favorite thing about working in Anne Arundel County, the beautiful coastline. He also talks about the importance of mentorship and the valuable lessons he learned from experienced firefighters.

Michael and Matt discuss their early days in the fire service and the impact of mentorship on their careers. They also talk about the National Fire Academy and the value of networking and camaraderie. Matt shares the biggest lesson he learned from the EFO program, which is that there is no honor in fighting a fire that could have been prevented. The conversation in this part covers topics such as the importance of taking care of oneself as a leader, the impact of transitional attack in firefighting, the key takeaways from the EFO program, the thrill of helping people, the challenges of fire prevention laws, and the role of family escorts in supporting the families of fallen firefighters.

The conversation covers various topics related to mental health and leadership in the fire service. The hosts discuss the importance of reaching out for help and supporting one another. They also talk about the work being done in national committees to address mental health issues in the fire service. The conversation concludes by discussing the responsibilities and challenges of being a Fire Chief.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:26

Introducing Matt Tobia

06:24

Overview of NACOSH and the 1910-156 Standard

10:09

Matt Tobia's Role in NACOSH

19:38

Matt Tobia's Journey in the Fire Service

25:57

Transition to the Combination Fire Service

33:04

Pros and Cons of the Combination Fire Service

37:18

Volunteers and Paramedics in Anne Arundel County

39:21

The Beauty of Anne Arundel County's Coastline

41:13

The Value of Mentorship in the Fire Service

46:15

Learning to Be Water

52:14

The National Fire Academy and Networking

59:18

The EFO Program and the Importance of Fire Prevention

01:04:10

No Honor in Fighting Preventable Fires

01:15:25

Self-Care and Leadership

01:18:19

The Thrill of Helping People

01:22:35

The Role of Family Escorts

01:58:33

The Power of Leaving a Lasting Impression

02:02:48

National Committees Addressing Mental Health in the Fire Service

02:05:44

The Responsibilities and Challenges of Being a Fire Chief

In this episode of the Mentors on Fire podcast, host Michael Allora interviews Steven Conn, a Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Fairfield, Ohio. They discuss Steven's journey from being a volunteer firefighter to becoming a critical care registered nurse and, eventually, a full-time firefighter. They also discuss topics such as organizational culture, mentoring, and the history of the Cincinnati Fire Department. Steven shares his experiences and insights into the fire service and the importance of mentorship in the field.

Steven Conn discusses his experience developing a fire department and the challenges in navigating the organizational culture. He talks about the resistance to change and the need for relaxation time for firefighters. He also shares his experience in liking the opportunities and potential for growth in the department, wanting to change the micromanagement, and lacking recognition for a job well done. He discusses his involvement in leadership programs and initiatives to promote positivity and recognition within the department. The conversation also touches on the Cincinnati Mayday incident and Conn's experience of falling through the floor during a fire.

The conversation explores the aftermath of a traumatic incident and the lack of support and acknowledgment within the fire service. It delves into the concept of moral injury and its impact on individuals. Conn and Allora discuss their own experiences with mental health struggles and suicidal ideation. They emphasize the importance of checking in on each other and providing support. The conversation also discusses the need for debriefing and addressing traumatic incidents within the fire service. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for better mental health support and awareness within the profession.

In this final part of the conversation, Steven Conn and Michael Allora discusses the heavy burden of being a mentor and the importance of listening and acknowledging the struggles of others. They share personal stories of individuals who have experienced mental health challenges and the impact it had on them. They also talk about the role of mentorship in shaping their careers and the satisfaction of caring for their people. Steven reflects on his career and the positive changes he has witnessed in his new department. The conversation ends with advice for younger professionals to follow their hearts and focus on helping others.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Sponsor

02:13

Focus on Firefighter Mental Health and Suicide Epidemic

05:12

Volunteer Firefighting and Paramedic Training

08:57

Transition to Nursing and Meeting Steven's Wife

15:01

Settling in Coleraine Township Fire Department

23:48

History of the Cincinnati Fire Department

27:28

Steven's Career in Coleraine Township Fire Department

35:12

Training and Organizational Culture in the Fire Service

36:57

Navigating Organizational Culture

38:40

The Importance of Relaxation Time

43:19

Overcoming Micromanagement

48:19

Promoting Recognition and Positivity

55:17

The Impact of Personal Experiences

01:15:00

The Impact of Trauma and Lack of Support

01:23:13

Moral Injury and Mental Health Struggles

01:30:01

The Importance of Checking In and Providing Support

01:46:29

Addressing Traumatic Incidents and Promoting Mental Health Awareness

01:52:41

The Heavy Burden of Being a Mentor

01:55:58

The Impact of Mental Health Challenges

02:28:08

Follow Your Heart and Help Others