How I Became a Tactical Academic Athlete Before I pursued my dream career position in the Fire Service, my original dream was to represent our Country as an Olympic Hopeful for the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling. I spent the majority of my childhood and early adult life preparing for the opportunity to be a member of Team USA Wrestling. I started m...
Chief Alan V. Brunacini was a pivotal figure in the fire service, known not only for his leadership and operational expertise but also for his forward-thinking approach to firefighter safety and customer service. His legacy, shaped by both his personal and professional experiences, has had a profound impact on fire departments across the U.S. and a...
[Cover Photo Image Credits: California Training Officers Association | (L to R) | Fire Chief (Retired) Kevin Wise | Battalion Chief Tim Sandifer | Chris Delcour | Jesse Roberts | Author | Deputy Chief (Retired) Anthony Sornetta | Battalion Chief Matt Miranda]. Ed Bent Award: Christopher Baker Randy Sheer Memorial ...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Jeremy Wade, a retired Seattle police officer, for a powerful conversation on faith, family, and the calling of public safety service on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM (PST) / 7:30 PM (EST). Jeremy, the founder and Executive Director of Mission First Alliance, shares his heart for a national movement that br...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Erik Scott, Los Angeles Fire Captain II/Paramedic and lead Public Information Officer (PIO), for a powerful discussion on firefighter mentorship. This episode explores the critical role of motivation, trust-building, and professional relationships—both within the organization and across the communities fir...
In this powerful episode, Host Christopher Baker connects with Jill Shepherd Piercy Clark, LMFT, founder, and CEO of The Resiliency Co., for a deeply meaningful conversation about healing from stress, trauma, and burnout—especially among first responders and public safety professionals. Drawing from her extensive experience as a therapist, Jil...
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 ser...
If you quit you will regret it for the rest of your life. Quitting never makes things easier. - Admiral William H. McRaven Entry Level Hiring Process In this episode, Host Chris Baker breaks down the application phase of the entry-level firefighter hiring process and explains how candidates can become resilient, standout applicants. The discus...
One of my mentors, the late Chief Bobby Halton, gave me the opportunity to create and host The Future Firefighter Podcast, discussing Firefighter Mentorship through Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio, in December 2017. From January 2018 to June 2022, I highlighted and discussed firefighter mentorship with several of my mentors across 41 episodes, as ...
Join Host Christopher Baker and Fire Captain Forrest Martin for a powerful and inspiring discussion on the Wim Hof Method and the transformational impact of the Wim Hof Breath Protocol. Forrest shares his journey as a disabled veteran and how military service shaped his discipline, mental toughness, and unwavering commitment to service. After ...
Throughout my fire service career, I have worked nearly every shift schedule available. When I first started as a volunteer, I signed up for 24-hour shifts on a Kelly Schedule as a paid reserve. About a year later, I received the opportunity to be a wildland firefighter and transitioned to the 72-hour shift schedule. As a wildland firefighter, I so...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former U.S. Fire Administrator, for an in-depth discussion on the future of the fire service. This episode will explore how the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is modernizing fire data and strengthening decision-making nationwide, and the importance of unified...
Mentorship is vital to the future succession planning of the fire service. Everyone can positively benefit from having a mentor. Mentorship is how we bring continuous improvement to our profession. There is value in having an established advisor in your life to offer you counsel and guidance throughout your career. I have immensely benefited from t...
Join host Christopher Baker and guest Fire Chaplain Jim Cook as they discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the fire service. This episode covers the work of the California Fire Chaplain Association, the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and the importance of maintaining work-life balance in such a demanding profession. As we enter the h...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Brian K. Rice, President of the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), for an important conversation on firefighter behavioral health and wellness. Topics will include the value of firefighter mentorship and resources to support the next generation of firefighters. The discussion will also explore strategi...
One of my mentors, the late Chief Bobby Halton, gave me the opportunity to create and host The Future Firefighter Podcast, discussing Firefighter Mentorship through Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio, in December 2017. From January 2018 to June 2022, I highlighted and discussed firefighter mentorship with several of my mentors across 41 episodes, as ...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Fire Chief Damon Covington of the Oakland Fire Department for an in-depth discussion on career opportunities in public safety with the Oakland Fire Department. The conversation highlights the value of mentorship, developing future leaders from within through succession planning, and recruiting community members...
Join Host Christopher Baker and guest CAL FIRE Director (Retired) Ken Pimlott as they discuss the challenges of leadership during a time when wildland fires became more intense and destructive, and fire seasons evolved into a year-round reality. The conversation explores the pressures of leading through escalating risk, limited resources, and ...
From our first day in the fire service, we have the opportunity to be a leader and lead throughout probation and well beyond, until long after our retirement. This article is not a perfect recipe or a golden ticket to passing probation. It takes more than a list of rules to be successful in passing probation. Ultimately, the responsibility of passi...
When the call comes for an immediate-need strike team assignment, wildland firefighters respond within a moment's notice, sometimes only with their out-of-county bags. Also referred to as red bags, these bags are packed with essential survival items for a 14-day assignment. Depending on the operational assignment, these red bags are weighed and hav...
