The Baker Podcast
Making the fire service better than you found it.
14: Fire Chief Dennis Compton
Join Host Christopher Baker and his guest, Fire Chief (Retired) Dennis Compton, as they explore vital leadership lessons, the importance of firefighter mentorship, and the role of succession planning in the fire service. In this episode, they discuss the significance of paying it forward to the next generation and how to make the fire service better than you found it. Tune in for a conversation packed with wisdom for both current and future leaders in the fire service!
Biography:
With 54 years in the fire service, Dennis Compton was the Fire Chief in Mesa (Arizona) for 6 years and Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix (Arizona) where he served for 28 years. Chief Compton is Past Chair of the Board of the International Fire Service Training Association – and served as Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Institute National Advisory Council. He served as the Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors and the Secretary of the International Public Safety Data Institute Board of Directors. In 2011, Dennis was inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders; and in 2018, he was inducted into the Firehouse Legends and Icons National Hall of Fame. In July 2026, Chief Compton will be formally recognized as an International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management (IJFSLM) Legend in Leadership. Dennis is also a charter inductee into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame.
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Firehouse Ambassador Program:
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Fire Chief Alan V. Brunacini
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Battalion Chief (Retired) Dave Dodson
Publications
In Honor and Memory of Harold Mace | IFSTA
STILLWATER, Okla. – The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Fire Protection Publications (FPP) mourn the passing of FPP Emeritus Director Harold Mace. Mr. Mace was Director of FPP for 23 years and led a number of initiatives to improve firefighter training worldwide.
Dr. Carl G. Holmes
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EDI Co-Founder, Trailblazer and Visionary
Chief Holmes was a legend in the Oklahoma City community as well as across the nation for his leadership and innovation in the industry. He was also a recent recipient of the coveted Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. What he did in Oklahoma had an impact on fire departments across the nation.
Pictures from the Podcast:
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IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 8th Edition Validation Committee
IFSTA Validation Committees | IFSTA
Written for Firefighters, by Firefighters It’s the way IFSTA manuals have been written and validated since 1934. The process to produce new and revised IFSTA manuals is a collaborative effort between the staff members at FPP and IFSTA subject matter experts who are assigned to the validation committee for a particular manual.
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Assistant Chief Rayne Gray
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Dan Madrzykowski, Ph.D., P.E.
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Dr. Denis Onieal
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Assistant Chief Eric Valliere
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