6: Assistant Chief Rayne Gray

Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department (AZ) Assistant Chief Rayne Gray on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 4:30 PM (PST) as we dig into what truly shapes our profession: mentorship, and the constant ebb and flow of leadership changes that test our adaptability and resilience. We talk about the recruitment and retention challenges we're facing in Arizona, and across the nation, and why solving them requires every one of us to step up and leave this job better than we found it.

Chief Gray and I challenge the next generation to lead from right where they stand, not waiting for a bugle to give them permission. And we have a little fun discussing those moments we all experience, the "FFTs," the First Freaking Times, when growth demands we stretch into the unfamiliar.

So grab your gear, settle in, and get ready for a conversation that's equal parts gritty, inspiring, and grounded in the brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service. Let's get after it.

Biography:

Assistant Chief Rayne Gray, MAS, CFO, is a U.S. Marine veteran and 28-year fire service leader who rose through every rank in the Phoenix Fire Department, ultimately serving as Deputy Chief over the Regional Dispatch Center before joining the Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department. A committed lifelong learner, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration, a Master of Applied Science in Fire Service Administration from Arizona State University, and multiple professional certifications. Chief Gray is an experienced instructor and curriculum developer, has taught throughout Arizona, serves on state and national training committees, and hosts the Fireground Fitness Podcast. When not on the job, he's often found outdoors hiking, cycling, or climbing with the enthusiasm of his ever-energetic chocolate lab.

Professionally network with Chief Gray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayne-gray-ms-cfo-96314815/

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

White Paper on Recruitment & Retention in the Florida Fire Service

By: Carlos Aviles, Keith Chapman, Mark Harper, Dr. Lindsay Judah, Harold Theus

Abstract

The Florida Fire Service has concerns regarding Recruitment and Retention. There are business, leadership, and psychology best practices, which can be considered and implemented to efficiently address some of these challenges. There are opportunities to reinvent and revitalize many traditional approaches in the Florida Fire Service. This white paper is intended to spur change, collaboration, and crucial conversations.

Keywords: Culture, Firefighter, Florida, Labor Force, Paramedic, Recruitment, Retention

Introduction

The American Fire Service is experiencing a dilemma, labor shortages. There are numerous articles and research papers which focus on Recruitment and Retention from the late 1980's to today. Recently, during a meeting in Spring of 2023, members of the North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD) reported similar stories of a declining interest of individuals entering the fire service industry. The members represented career, combination, and volunteer fire agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, and Utah. NAFTD is primarily focused on educating future firefighters. Due to this focus area, the organization is uniquely positioned to be in contact with fire department representatives throughout their respective states. The consensus of the group was that many fire department agencies are unable to fill vacancies. There are fewer applicants to fill volunteer, combination, and career vacancies. One common theme which stood out to the group was that career firefighters may move from department to department, including lateral transfers, which is often associated with a wage and benefits competition amongst paid departments.

However, we know that many workers leave organizations or request a change in job responsibilities, such as "dropping their patch", for reasons other than an increase in wage and benefits, such as job satisfaction, and more versatile training opportunities. An illustrative example is provided by Harvard Business Review article, titled, Why People Really Quit Their Jobs, by Lori Goler, Janelle Gale, Brynn Harrington, and Adam Grant;

"People leave jobs, and it's up to managers to design jobs that are too good to leave. Great bosses set up shields — they protect their employees from toxicity. They also open doors to meaningful tasks and learning opportunities — they enable their people to be energized by their projects, to perform at their best, and to move forward professionally without taking steps backward at home. When you have a manager who cares about your happiness and your success, your career and your life, you end up with a better job, and it's hard to imagine working anywhere else."

The Fireground Fitness Podcast: Everyone Goes Home

Giving back is a big part of fire service tradition and Christopher Baker fully embraces this tradition. Serving 14 on the job, while also volunteering his time with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the National Fire Heritage Foundation as well as running his own "Future Firefighter" mentoring group. And if that's not enough he's currently sitting on an IFSTA validation committee for the 8th edition of the "Fundamentals of Firefighting".

In episode 26 we covered a tremendous amount of topics but spent most of our time talking about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's "everyone goes home" campaign. A topic worthy of your time, check it out!

The Future Firefighter Podcast: Lead Where You Are

The Future Firefighter Podcast Host Christopher Baker talks with guests Phoenix Fire Department (AZ) Deputy Chief (Retired) Rayne Gray, Fairfax County (VA) Fire Captain (Retired) Marc Davidson, and Prince William County (VA) Fire Lieutenant Nick Baskerville about leadership and why it's important to lead where you are.