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The Command Post Podcast: Why all firefighters should be held to mandatory fitness

Lt. Rom Duckworth and Chief Rob Wylie also talk about nepotism and perceived conflicts of interest in the fire service

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This week, hosts Lt. Rom Duckworth and Chief Rob Wylie discuss a recent story about fire officials planning to discipline firefighters who aren’t exercising enough on the job.

“I think everyone agrees a firefighter needs to be physically fit,” Chief Wylie said. “But when you bring it up as part of a mandatory thing, you have to work out ... and when you start throwing discipline on top of it, it gets tough and puts a wrinkle in it.”

They also talk about how new nozzle products are changing the fire service in their frontline tactical tips segment.

Their leadership lessons segment explains nepotism and perceived conflicts of interest in the fire service and community leadership.

“I think nepotism rules are ridiculous,” Chief Wylie said. “The fire service is a family business and to have relatives carry on the tradition within a family is what makes the fire service strong.”

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

Ohio firefighters face discipline for lack of exercise

IAFF: Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative

Fire department issues safety stand down on fitness test

Fire hose nozzles: How to choose and use the right fit

Nozzle maintenance: lube the moving parts

How to buy fire nozzles

Ind. nepotism law forcing trustees off volunteer department

Possible conflict stirs concern; New N.J. councilman is also a firefighter

Conflict of interest alleged in Conn. fire truck bidding

The Command Post, a podcast series that features Lt. Rom Duckworth and Chief Rob Wylie, brings expert perspective to hot topics, frontline tactics and leadership lessons that firefighters and officers need to be safe and successful.

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