In today’s episode, David Soler and Lt. Jim Moss talk about how being able to do our job on the fire ground hedges on staying motivated to take care of our health.

We discuss:

• What keeps you motivated about firefighter fitness?
• How do you get in to the right mindset?
• What does your workout consist of?
• How do you stay motivated?
• What are some examples of real health risks we face everyday?
• Some tips/ways to keep yourself motivated that have worked for David and Jim.

In today’s episode, David Soler shares years of field experience, training, and interviews with great and respected firefighters and thought leaders through his book and audio program, “Firefighter Preplan.” He gives us a glimpse of what it takes to be a great and respected firefighter and how to earn it in the fire service.

David tells us about his book:

• What is Firefighter Preplan about?
• How did the book come about?
• How did he test these principles?
• Who is this book for?
• Who are these great and respected firefighters?
• How can you use this book or program?

In this episode, Camille Gallinger and David Soler discuss firefighter nutrition to help you take care of your body better and become more effective on the fire ground and in life.

We discuss:

• What is the #1 thing we need to know about nutrition?
• What are the side effects of not working to replenish the vitamins/minerals we use up?
• Why do we need to pay attention to building our adrenal glands?
• Why do we need to take better care of our digestive system?
• When is the best time to take digestive enzymes?
• What are the benefits of probiotics and in what form is it best to take them?
• What are alternative, healthy oils we can use for cooking?
• Where should we purchase our supplements and why?

In this firefighter training episode we had Lt. Jim Moss spend some time with the next generation Halligan bar, the Maxximus Rexx, a tool widely raved about as the new ultimate tool for forcible entry. Jim Moss and David Soler shares their review of the Maxximus Rexx to see if it’s up to the task and if it lives up to its reputation.

In this review we discuss:

• What are our initial impressions of the Maxximus Rexx?
• What are the main features/specifications of the Maxximus Rexx?
• What are the issues firefighters have met with previous tools that the Maxximus has improved upon?
• Why is it called the “Rexx?”
• Does the Maxximus Rexx deserve its reputation and do we recommend it?

In this firefighter training episode Darren Dake and David Soler talk about the field of fire death investigation, and what we, as firefighters, need to know about how we can help medical examiners preserve evidence and get the answers that they need.

We discuss:

• What are some of the biggest mistakes/issues you see firefighters doing in terms of the Medical examiner?
• What are, maybe, the top priorities that we need to have in our minds as firefighters or EMS personnels on a scene like this?
• How can firefighters / EMS work with the Coroner / MEs at fire scenes?
• How can we have better cooperation and scene management?
• How can we (fire service) do a good job preserving the evidence and scene while still doing our job?
• What else should we as firefighters/EMS know about to help?

In this firefighter training episode, Anita Brooks and David Soler gives us some tools to help others and ourselves through the emotional battles we go through. We learn about secondary traumatic stress, how constantly dealing with death and destruction affects our people in the fire ground, and how we can properly prevent the stress from building up and breaking us down.

We discuss:

• What is Secondary Trauma?
• What do we need to know about dealing with dealing with death and destruction repeatedly as firefighters?
• What are some of the things that we can to identify the stress in ourselves and others?
• What can we do to help ourselves and others?
• How are we burying stress in to ourselves? What does "We can take stress" mean?
• Some more advice on how can help ourselves and others.

In this firefighter training episode we have Brian Kazmierzak here to tell us about the S.L.I.C.E.-R.S. method and how it incorporates fireground tactics with modern firefighter safety research, the website ModernFireBehavior.com, what has happened over the last 12 months with regards to firefighter close calls, as well as some LODDs.

We discuss:

• What is S.L.I.C.E.-R.S. and how can we use it?
• What is the ModernFireBehavior.com? Who is that for and how can we use it?
• What is FirefighterCloseCalls.com?
• What are ways we can lessen instances of close calls?
• What are the common causes of LODDs and how can we prevent them?

In this firefighter training episode Lt. Scott Ebbert and David Soler share with us how firefighters can do their part in helping investigators in dealing with situations at the fire ground.

We discuss:

• What is spoliation?
• How does spoliation affect us?
• What are some of the consequences of spoliation?
• How can we help the investigator and how do we avoid spoliation?

In this firefighter training episode Jim Moss and David Soler maximizing your potential and being the best that you can be by pouring in to each other.

We discuss:

• What does it take to be a great firefighter?
• What does it take to be a great leader?
• What advice do you have for aspiring officers?
• How did you come up with “iron sharpens iron?” Where did it come from?
• Explain why you are passionate about mentorship in the fire service? What does it take to be a great mentor?

In this firefighter training episode Aaron Zamzow and David Soler share with us why and how members of the fire service should train, eat, and treat our bodies as if we're athletes.

We discuss:

• How vitally important is stretching for firefighters?
• What's the proper way for us to stretch and when do we stretch?
• What are some things we can do to stretch and warm up before we go in to the field?
• How important is hydration?
• How do we keep our bodies hydrated?

In this Firefighter Training Episode, we have a 15-minute training clinic with Captain Brian Smith about the importance of the primary attack line in having a safe fire ground.

We discuss:

• Why is getting the attack line and service vitally important?
• How can we best get that attack line in service quickly and efficiently?
• Why is training important to having an effective attack line?

In this Firefighter Training Episode, David interviews Chief Les Karpluk, author of “Leadership Prescribed,” about the challenges in fire service leadership and some rules to live by to becoming a successful Fire Officer.

Learn the 4 rules for Fire Officer Success:

• Rule 1- Lead by Example
• Rule 2- Find the Strengths in your People
• Rule 3- Support Your People
• Rule 4 – Be Patient

In this Firefighter Training Episode, David interview’s author and Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso about his book Step Up Your Teamwork.

Item’s discussed:

• Why did he write step up your teamwork ?
• Who can this book help?
• What are the team building stages and how do they relate to the stages of fire?
• The "What about me?" mindset and how it is destructive to teams.
• How the Best ideas have to win for teams to be great.
• The 6 rungs of listening

Chief Bobby Halton, Capt Angela Hughes and David J Soler discuss 2-3 successful traits of leaders as well as successful habits. They also discuss this years FDIC 2015 and iWomen Conference 2015.

• What you can look forward to in this year’s FDIC 2015 Conference and the 2015 iWomen Conference
• Things up and coming leaders should be focusing on this year.
• Developing and cultivating the right habits.
• Qualities of a successful leader.
• The value of real world experience
• Being a cheerleader for the fire service and others

Firefighter Training Episode 055 of the FirefighterToolbox podcast is about the relationship between a fire department and its community.

Capt. Greg May shares how the Fort Lauderdale City Fire Department had earned the support and admiration of its community by going above and beyond just doing their job.

Greg May Discusses
1. How good community relations can impact your fire department.
2. 4 Ws of building great community relations.
3. Simple strategies in building great community relations.
4. How to combat bad publicity.
5. Some ideas on how your department can engage with the community.

Firefighter Training Episode 054 of the FirefighterToolbox podcast is about how even a rookie can make a difference in the fire service.

In this David Soler lays down the groundwork to becoming a great and well respected firefighter:

• Start with the right attitude and mindset from day one.
• Do your best to know and master the job/position assigned to you.
• Be willing to get your hands dirty.
• Be a student and a teacher of the fire service.
• Let your actions tell your story.

In this episode Chief Walt Lewis shares how your peers can influence your career and how you can become a positive influence to those wanting to join the fire service.

We discuss:

• Consciously making an effort to surround yourself with great firefighters.
• Dedicating yourself and your time to becoming a better firefighter.
• Qualities of a leader and taking the initiative.
• Being a master of your craft.
• Why it's okay to want and find ways to be good at your job.

Firefighter Life Insurance Training

Firefighter Training Episode 052 of the FirefighterToolbox podcast is about what firefighters need to know about life insurance.

In this episode David Soler  discusses an overview of life insurance and why we need it..

He shares:

• What Life Insurance is.
• Why and when we need life insurance.
•  The different types of life insurances.
• How to calculate the amount of life insurance we need.
• Why getting life insurance outside of your work maybe better.

In this episode David Soler and Lt. Rob Ramirez discuss the mental and physical training and preparedness required to have our members overcome mayday situations.

We discuss:

• Including psychological and mental strengthening in our trainings.
• Getting rid of the stigma against calling a mayday.
• 2 Key factors in overcoming a mayday situation.
• The black zones, red zones, and how anxiety affects the cognitive process.
• Various ways to train subconscious competence.