Linda Willing

Leading the Team

Linda Willing is a retired career fire officer and currently works with emergency services agencies and other organizations on issues of leadership development, decision-making, and diversity management through her company, RealWorld Training and Consulting. She is also an adjunct instructor and curriculum advisor with the National Fire Academy. Willing is the author of On the Line: Women Firefighters Tell Their Stories. Willing has a bachelor’s degree in American studies, a master’s degree in organization development and is a certified mediator. She is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Willing via email.

Full list of Linda Willing results

Ashes2Art: The healing power of creativity for firefighters
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Nonprofit helps firefighters promote creativity to counterbalance the negative impacts of the job
Company officer challenges in the era of COVID-19
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Now is the time to focus on training, communication and restorative support
Prevent the erosion of public trust from photo-related controversies
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Two simple ways fire departments can help members understand proper actions related to taking and sharing incident photos
Situation de-escalation: Preparation and practice are key for first responders
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Video shows officers in New York keep their cool during a tense traffic stop involving an aggravated city councilman
5 things a company fire officer should never say
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These statements reflect an attitude that may seem harmless in the short term, but will undermine leadership in the long run
Fire and police scuffle: Tips for managing conflict among agencies
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An unfortunate incident between agencies underscores the need to proactively work with outside agencies and build skills to mitigate conflict
Gender neutral or gender inclusive? What to consider in fire station design
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Understanding the different models to facility design can help fire service leaders find the best solution for their department
How to avoid firefighter photo firestorms
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Simple steps to evade controversy related to photos, fireground scenes and social media
Fire service recruitment: Making it a way of life – for all firefighters
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Leaders must instill in firefighters early that recruitment is a part of their identity
Normalizing bad behavior: Recruits give Nazi salute in photo
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Ego, tradition, indifference and bad judgment can allow inappropriate behaviors to become normalized
Protecting female firefighters from occupational cancer
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What fire departments can do to help shield members from elevated cancer risks
The internet is forever: Firefighters must be smart on social media
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First responders can lose their jobs over inappropriate posts in seemingly private groups
Why generalists are so well suited to the fire service
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Fostering a learning environment at work means that no one gets to be an expert and stop at that
‘Fire in Paradise’: Documentary captures the first horrific hours of the Camp Fire
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A Netflix documentary about the deadly blaze balances themes of loss with courage and fortitude
Should there be 'device-free zones' in the station?
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How to help younger generation firefighters improve their in-person communication skills
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