FRISCO, Texas — FireRescue1.com has launched the Side Alpha podcast, hosted by FireRescue1/Fire Chief Executive Editor and Highlands County (Florida) Fire Chief Marc Bashoor.
The podcast features fire service leaders and emerging leaders, as well as industry icons and visionaries, talking about the state of the fire service and hot topics facing firefighters of all levels. Bashoor and guests tackle topics ranging from fire service culture and department vision to tactical-level training and operations, and even major event responses.
The first three podcasts are now live on FireRescue1 and available for download on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Spotify.
- John Butler, fire chief of the Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire Department, addresses department missions and strategic planning, mentoring, public engagement and diversity in the fire service.
- Dennis Jenkerson, fire chief of the St. Louis Fire Department, talks about the rescue of multiple children from house fire in 2019 – a story that captivated the public and members of the fire service alike.
- Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, discusses cancer awareness and prevention and behavioral health issues in the fire service.
Future Side Alpha podcasts will feature Joanne Rund, fire chief of the Baltimore County Fire Department; Bill Webb, executive director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute; Brian Schaeffer, fire chief of the Spokane (Washington) Fire Department; Dr. Denis Onieal, deputy U.S. fire administrator; and many other fire service voices focused on enhancing the industry and affecting meaningful change.
“Our Side Alpha podcast provides the avenue for us to dig deeper into the topics you need to hear about and the people you need to hear from,” Chief Bashoor explained. “I hope that through in-depth interviews and probing of the issues in front of us that we will challenge our listeners to think past the ‘everyday’ solutions to the issues we face daily. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!”
Listen to FireRescue1’s SideAlpha podcast at firerescue1.com/columnists/side-alpha.