Shows / Better Every Shift
Better Every Shift
FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to…
Episodes
- Better Every Shift
Chief John Oates: ”Can we just retire the ‘it’s a generational thing’ mindset?”
For all the boomers to Gen Z firefighters out there, today’s episode digs into critical questions: Do generational differences even exist, and why are we so…
- Better Every Shift
‘We can’t read your mind’: Ben Thompson urges firefighters to speak up about stress
The newly released What Firefighters Want in 2023 survey special coverage highlights a perfect storm of stressors facing the fire service. On today’s show…
- Better Every Shift
‘Make THIS place better’: Kris Kazian’s advice to frustrated firefighters
It’s easy to sit around the kitchen table complaining about your agency’s lack of leadership or what you’ve heard about how much better it is at some other…
- Better Every Shift
LACoFD firefighter details ‘surreal experience’ appearing on ‘LA Fire & Rescue’
Better Every Shift welcomes a fire service celebrity to the show this week. Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) Firefighter-Paramedic Mike Anderson…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Todd LeDuc: ‘Your risk becomes everyone’s risk’
When it comes to firefighter health, personal risks can quickly translate to dangers for the entire crew. We must look out for each other, not only on the…
- Better Every Shift
‘Just call people out’: Dr. Candace Ashby on defeating toxicity at the firehouse
Indianapolis Battalion Chief Dr. Candace Ashby takes an honest, humor-driven tell-it-like-it-is approach to leadership, urging company officers, and really all…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Jim Keiken: ‘You have to periodically reinvent yourself’
It all comes full circle on this episode of the podcast, as we are joined by IFSI Director Jim Keiken, the man ultimately responsible for unleashing Zam on the…
- Better Every Shift
Corley Moore: ‘If you’re not having fun doing this job, you are doing it wrong’
It’s another high-energy, passion-fueled podcast, as Battalion Chief Corley Moore joins Zam and Janelle to dissect fire service culture, toxic leadership and…
- Better Every Shift
‘A flowchart mindset’: UL FSRI researchers talk dynamic decisions on the fireground
The highly complex, dynamic nature of the fireground makes adaptive thinking particularly vital for firefighters and incident commanders. Our guests on this…
- Better Every Shift
Lithium-ion battery fire hazards, training, resources for firefighters
How many lithium-ion batteries do you have in your house? We’ve all got ’em, which means there are countless opportunities for them to spark. On this episode…
- Better Every Shift
The Goldfeders: ‘The fire service has been wonderful to this family’
This week’s episode is extra “golden,” as Zam says, because we have not one, but two Goldfeders on the show – Loveland-Symmes Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder and…
- Better Every Shift
‘It’s an honor’: Victor Stagnaro on his new role as NFFF CEO
Victor Stagnaro joins the podcast to talk about his recent appointment as CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Stagnaro had previously served as…
- Better Every Shift
‘Attack every situation’: Vince Bettinazzi shares shift expectations
Today’s podcast unpacks the complex topic of go/no-go decision-making, focusing on vertical ventilation and search tactics. Our guest for the discussion is…
- Better Every Shift
Cebollero: ‘We need to reverse the organizational chart’ in EMS
EMS leader and advocate Chris Cebollero joins Better Every Shift for a very special crossover event. No, this isn’t the One Chicago universe but rather the…
- Better Every Shift
Nick Martin: ‘When the bell rings, it’s game time’
Digging into all things training, culture and motivation, this week’s show features Nick Martin, division chief with the City of Salisbury (N.C.) Fire…
- Better Every Shift
FDIC 2023 playback: Reliving the chaos, appreciating the connections
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle recap FDIC 2023 and their attempts to meet all 52,000 attendees packed into the exhibit…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Randy Bruegman: ‘Nothing good happens without a plan’
Today’s show challenges fire service leaders to think big – at least bigger – than the status quo. Fire Chief Randy Bruegman, who served as past president of…
- Better Every Shift
‘Crawl. Walk. Run’: Andy Beck details smart mayday training
“Perfect practice makes automatic” is the key takeaway from this mayday training-focused episode, sponsored by L3Harris. Mandan City (N.D.) Training Officer…
- Better Every Shift
Jonathan Tate: ‘I know I’m supposed to bring healthier meals into the firehouse’
We hope you’re hungry today, not only for food but inspiration as well, because today’s episode, which is sponsored by L3Harris, features Jonathan Tate, a DC…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Ron Siarnicki: ‘Leave it better than you found it’
In this episode of the podcast, sponsored by L3Harris, Chief Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), reflects…
- Better Every Shift
Better Every Shift LIVE: The Healthy 10 – How to define a healthy firefighter
What does a healthy firefighter look like? So often we focus on physical appearance to define health, but health is a multifaceted, complex interaction among…
- Better Every Shift
Chief John Salka: ‘Spend more time at home’
The man, the myth, the legend, FDNY Battalion Chief (ret.) John Salka joins the Better Every Shift podcast to share lessons that apply to all firefighters, on…
- Better Every Shift
Dr. David Griffin: ‘The success in my life has come from the worst day of my life’
Dr. David Griffin, assistant chief of administration in Charleston, S.C., joins Better Every Shift this week, sharing powerful lessons learned from the tragic…
- Better Every Shift
Electric vehicle fires: Products, strategies and the power of time
Buckle up for an electric episode, driving hard into everything firefighters need to know about electric vehicle fires. Puns notwithstanding, Zam and Janelle…
- Better Every Shift
‘We need to walk the walk’: Leaders face off in wellness competition
Get ready for a healthy dose of smack talk from some unexpectedly competitive fire service leaders. Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. fire administrator; Chief…
- Better Every Shift
Jason Patton: ‘Nothing comes natural to me at all’
The first firefighter-influencer of the modern era shares how his early speaking nerves transformed into a love of making comedy videos Patton reveals his…
- Better Every Shift
‘Don’t do that!’: A first responder therapist signals common relationship red flags
Get ready to kick back on the metaphorical couch because on this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle talk to Dr. Rachelle Zemlok – a…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Jason Caughey: ‘Everything we do is about people’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam talks to Fire Chief Jason Caughey from the Laramie County (Wyoming) Fire Authority about fire service…
- Better Every Shift
Super Bowl showtime: How Glendale fire crews are preparing for the big game
This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is extra super because Zam and Janelle are talking all things Super Bowl with Glendale (Arizona) Captain Ashley…
- Better Every Shift
January rear-view: Hamlin ‘takes,’ tattoo controversy, giving life beyond death
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle dig into the big stories, hot takes and moments that moved us from the month: Damar Hamlin’s…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Tim Sendelbach: ‘This profession can’t afford the status quo’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle talk to a dear friend, Loveland (Colorado) Fire Rescue Authority Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach…
- Better Every Shift
Battalion Chief Dena Ali: ‘You can’t leave your baggage at the door’
The Raleigh firefighter and peer support advocate explains her perspective on healthy boundaries, therapy and why connection is life-sustaining On this episode…
- Better Every Shift
‘Royal Rumble’ of firefighter fitness: Zam goes head-to-head with Dan Kerrigan and Jim Moss
‘Pull up your jogging pants and take some notes’ because the three fitness experts offer actionable tips for health in the new year. On this episode of the…
- Better Every Shift
2022 in review: ’Words of the year,’ major incidents that hit hard, uplifting moments
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam and Janelle dig into the year that was, from the major incidents that are still top of mind to our…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Josh Waldo: ‘You’re only going to grow when you get uncomfortable’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Zam talks to Bozeman (Montana) Fire Chief Josh Waldo about making incremental changes, whether at the…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Reggie Freeman: ‘I refused to be the weakest link’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Oakland Fire Chief Reggie Freeman joins Zam to talk: The unspoken battle – or war – between new and older…
- Better Every Shift
Dr. Sara Jahnke on data-driven change: ‘You have to give early, easy wins’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, Dr. Sara Jahnke, director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, joins Zam to bond over their…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Frank Leeb: ‘We can do better. Start today.’
On this episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, FDNY Deputy Chief Frank Leeb joins Zam to talk about what it means to be better every run, every day, every…
Better Every Shift‘Never forget’: meaning, purpose and emphasis
This episode of the Side Alpha podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology for first responders on the front lines. Learn…
- Better Every Shift
New to Side Alpha? Start here.
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor discusses some of his favorite episodes and reveals some of the most popular shows. If you're new…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr reflects on blazing a trail as the first woman to hold various fire service leadership roles
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr reflects on her fire service career, serving as a fire chief for…
- Better Every Shift
Bryon Gustafson speaks to the benefits of higher education for firefighters and details one public safety program’s unique approach
There are countless benefits to higher education for firefighters – not only understanding the profession better but also becoming a better communicator, both…
- Better Every Shift
’Fireman’ vs. ’firefighter’: What’s in a name – a fire service association name, that is
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor unpacks the issue of what we call ourselves, specifically related to the use of the word…
- Better Every Shift
Dr. Bill Jenaway details ERSI’s new nationwide database where first responders can report roadway response struck-by incidents
On this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Dr. Bill Jenaway addresses the epidemic of roadway response struck-by incidents as well as a new nationwide database…
- Better Every Shift
’It’s those low-frequency events that tend to get us in trouble’
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor outlines the importance of MCI training, underscoring that it's vital to training for…
- Better Every Shift
Robert Weisbaum addresses the challenges of affordable housing and the resulting impact on recruitment and retention
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Robert Weisbaum, EMS & Fire Chief for the Crested Butte Fire Protection District in Colorado, tackles a unique…
- Better Every Shift
Walmart distribution fire raises questions about fire protection systems
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor explores fire protection systems in residential areas as well as larger facilities, like the…
- Better Every Shift
Captain John Haseney outlines 7 common barriers to implementing cancer-focused best practices
On this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, FDNY Captain John Haseney tackles an important question: What is stopping fire departments from implementing…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Otto Drozd details the challenges of leading a major metropolitan fire department
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Chief Otto Drozd, the executive secretary of the NFPA/IAFC Metropolitan Fire Chiefs…
- Better Every Shift
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell shares her experience as the newest U.S. fire administrator
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell shares her experience as the newest U.S. fire administrator, a position she began in October…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Billy Goldfeder shares his cancer story and details his new initiative 40PlusFire
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder details his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer. He shares what the experience has been…
- Better Every Shift
Don Abbott shares insights from Project Mayday research
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Chief Don Abbott, founder of Project Mayday, a comprehensive study of mayday…
- Better Every Shift
The grass isn’t always greener at another fire department
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor addresses critical staffing issues facing the fire service – the musical chairs of firefighters…
- Better Every Shift
Fire Chief John Oates talks fire service data and his new role with the IPSDI
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Fire Chief John Oates, who was recently named the new CEO of the International Public…
- Better Every Shift
Firefighter Jonathan Tate offers simple steps to healthier firehouse food
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Jonathan Tate, a DC Fire & EMS firefighter and the founder of Food on the Stove, a…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Dave Downey reflects on the Surfside condo collapse response effort
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Chief Dave Downey about one of the biggest stories of the year — the structural…
- Better Every Shift
Firefighters need to move beyond the fear of defeatism for calling a mayday ‘too early‘
"How many times does it take for a chief to hear near-misses before they recognize there's a systemic problem?" This is the question posed by Chief Marc…
- Better Every Shift
Looking back at 2021: Bashoor and Cebollero unpack the stories and trends affecting fire and EMS
In this special crossover episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Chris Cebollero, the host of Inside EMS, about the major news and…
- Better Every Shift
Dalan Zartman digs into fire operations involving electric vehicles and storage systems
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Dalan Zartman about everything firefighters need to know about incidents involving…
- Better Every Shift
Chief Reginald Freeman shares his experience moving across the country to join the Oakland FD
In this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Reginald Freeman, the new fire chief for the City of Oakland Fire Department in…