Peter Matthews talks with Rob Policht, a lieutenant with Passaic, NJ, Fire Department and one of the guys between Flow and Vent, about the state of today’s fire service and how a podcast he was on with a former Navy SEAL changed some of his approach to the fire service.

As a young officer, Policht provides his perspective on bridging the gap across multiple generations in the station. From bringing new members to the crew to understand operations and history, to ensuring all members are engaged in training to build a cohesive unit, Policht says crews need to have trust and respect for each other.

Reflecting on his podcast with U.S. Navy SEAL Drago Dzieran, he talks about the differences and similarities between the firefighters and SEALs, plus the paramilitary approach to fire departments and the SEAL’s thoughts on the fire service.

Resources

• Robert Policht’s bio and contributor page
• Personality Behind the Profile: Flow and Vent
• Flow and Vent podcast: Navy Seals and Firefighters with Drago Dzieran
• Flow and Vent website
• Flow and Vent Facebook
• Flow and Vent Instagram
• Webinar: Mastering SCBA Skills for Firefighters

Peter Matthews talks with Jacob Gates, a lead instructor at the Ohio Fire Academy, about the need to stay relevant while instructing multiple generations of the fire service and staying up-to-date strategies and tactics.

Gates, who also serves with Mifflin Township Division of Fire in Gahanna, OH and the Falls Township, OH, Fire Department explains some of the changes he has witnessed as teaching styles evolve and recruit/member learning styles change. He shares advice to help the next generation of fire instructors prepare for their roles and why instructors always need to be freshening up their skills.

Gates, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Brent, also addresses family at the station and at home. He explains the importance of prioritizing the importance of your family at home.

Resources

• Jacob Gates’ bio and contributor page

Capt. Joe DeVito talks about the need for added training and an enhanced understanding of thermal imaging cameras (TIC) for firefighters during today’s emergency responses.

DeVito talks about the lack of training for most firefighters, from the basics of fireground operations to rescue and other incidents. They talk about how to overcome the common misconception that a TIC is primarily an officer’s tool and why every member needs to know how to use it. DeVito compares maximizing your TIC to understanding all the apps on an new iPhone.

Switching topics, DeVito talks about being on the job in Florida in an area that’s been hard-hit by hurricanes recently and how that’s impacted the members and the residents they protect. Much of his area was destroyed, so the return to the station after the hurricane required resiliency and a desire to build the neighborhood back up, plus how to take care of the firefighters before, during and after the storms.

Resources

• Joe DeVito’s Firehouse.com bio page and article