Podcasts

Ian Emmons is the Deputy Chief of Operations for Sarasota County Fire Department. Listen in as Ian talks about building relationships and making big life changes and how to know if it is right for you. 

Recorded in front of a live audience at the 2024 Winter Symposium. This panel discusses our current workforce and the challenges our fire service faces today.

Listen into this collaboration between the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters and the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association as we dive into the topic regarding marijuana and the effects of the fire service.

Links we talked about during the show

PEER Support - firefightermentalhealth.org/
PEER Support Training - www.ohiofirechiefs.com/aws/OFCA/pt/s…ort_trainings

Join us for episode 22 where we talk to Mike Prete about the company level officer. Discussion revolves around the five items that a new and existing company officer can use to be successful or take it to the next level.

Mike Prete -

Mike retired as an Assistant Fire Chief at Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Services.

With nearly 35 years of experience, he served as the Executive Chief. In addition to his role directly relating to fire and rescue operations, he managed daily operational and administrative issues including budget, daily oversight and scheduling for 1100 full time personnel.

With national and state instructor certifications, he served as an adjunct instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, NIMS Instructor for MEMA, Anne Arundel Community College adjunct instructor, Practical Incident Control Training lead instructor and holds various certifications in public safety.

Task Force 1 - taskforce1.net

Task Force 1, Inc. is an emergency services training and consulting organization that provides on-site and online training programs to public safety agencies and other organizations.

Founded in 2006, the Task Force 1, Inc faculty is comprised of nearly 90 subject matter experts presenting emergency services training and consultation throughout the United States and internationally.

We deliver high-quality training to every audience whether it be a large metropolitan fire department, small rural fire company, law enforcement agency, healthcare facility, school, or church.

Much of what we do is onsite. That means we come to your location to present the training or work with you in person. However, to allow us to reach more organizations and individuals, we also deliver online training and consulting as a viable option for many.

Based on feedback from our clients, we are continuously developing new training offerings.

Our beliefs and expectations:
Have long term business relationships with all clients.
Teach and consult concepts that works.
Practice what we preach.
Preach what we practice.
Come to teach and consult not entertain.
The client’s success is paramount.
Share information with a passion.

Part 2 of the discussion with Marc Hill. In this episode we get to know Marc and what shaped the firefighter/paramedic, Field Training Officer, and mentor he is today. Listen in to find out what tips and tricks Marc has developed over the years as an educator and firefighter.

Marc Hill, a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of "Two Dark Thirty." Marc is a highly sought-after educational consultant, lecturer, instructor, and mentor with more than 20 years of experience in both public school and emergency services. He has enjoyed a long career in public education, beginning as a social studies teacher and football coach in a high school before evolving into an administrator and college professor. Marc also climbed through the fire department's ranks to the position of full-time Chief, where he significantly impacted his departments. The Core Values Award, Teacher of the Year Award three times, and many more honors and accolades have been given to him personally. Marc has also written the companion workbook to go with "Two Dark Thirty" website twodarkthirty.com/about

Firefighter/ Paramedic Marc Hill, City of Wausau Fire Department

Join us for part 2 of the roundtable discussion with Fire Chiefs from around Ohio. These discussions include:

Recruitment
Retention
Legalization/Medical Marijuana use
Vehicle acquisition
Department culture
Adding services

About the Chiefs

Chief Jeffrey Deeks:
Cambridge Fire Department
902 Gaston Ave.
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
27 years of service
Chief – 10 years
Education – Ohio Fire Executive Graduate (OFE Class 16), Associates Degree in Fire Science and Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University
Certifications – State of Ohio Level II Firefighter, EMT, Fire Inspector, Fire Instructor
(P) (740) 432-3232
deeks@cambridgeoh.org

Deputy Chief Richard A Vober:
Administrative subdivision
City of Akron Fire Department
81 West Thornton St.
Akron, Ohio 44311
330-375-2411
rvober@akronohio.gov

Deputy Chief Richard Vober, EFO began his career as a volunteer and has served the Akron Fire Department since 1992. Deputy Chief Vober is the current Vice President for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, and serves as the Chair for the Metro and Ad hoc Legislative Peer Support Subcommittee. Additionally, Deputy Chief Vober serves on the Legislative, Health and Wellness, and Education subcommittees. Deputy Chief Vober is a Hiram College graduate and a 2016 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He currently resides in Akron with his wife Sandy.

Chief Chad Hollinger
Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services
222 W. Poplar St.
Sidney, Ohio 45365
937.498.2346
chollinger@sidneyoh.com

Fire Chief Chad Hollinger began his career with the City of Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services in March of 2003. Prior to his appointment with the city, Chief Hollinger obtained fire certification in 1995 and volunteered with the villages of Arcanum and Pitsburg, Ohio. In early 2000, he began part-time fire and EMS work with the City of Englewood, Ohio. Prior to coming to Sidney, Hollinger had worked for the City of Monroe, Ohio has a full-time firefighter/EMT-B.

After coming to Sidney, Chief Hollinger served on numerous teams and committees. He is a past-president and vice-president of Sidney Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 912. During his time as a firefighter/EMT-Paramedic, he received numerous letters of accommodation, unit citations, and records of exceptional performance.

In May of 2011, Chief Hollinger was promoted to lieutenant and served in the fire prevention, training, and shift assignments. Due to retirements, Hollinger was again promoted in 2015 this time to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief where he served as A-crew Shift Commander and Chief of Technical Rescue. He was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in 2019 and to Fire Chief in 2020. He has served in that rank since.

Chief Hollinger holds an Associate Degree from Sinclair Community College in Fire Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati. In April of 2018, Hollinger graduated from the Ohio Fire Executive program through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association as a member of Class 16. Chief Hollinger is a state of Ohio certified Level II Firefighter, EMT-Paramedic, Certified Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Instructor, and Continuing Education Instructor. Additionally, he has completed Hazardous Materials Technician, HazMat Officer & Safety Officer, Fire Investigator, Level 1 Technical Rescue, and Fire Officer 1, 2, and 3 training.

Chief Hollinger is the Northwest District Director for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association and serves on numerous committees for the OFCA. In 2022, Chief Hollinger was recognized as a ‘Fellow’ in the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation and became a credentialed Ohio Fire Chief.

Chief Hollinger serves on numerous non-profit boards in Sidney and Shelby County in leadership roles. He and his wife Beth reside in the Sidney area along with their two daughters.

Part 2 - Chief Steve Agenbroad takes us on an in depth conversation about managing criticism within the fire service. He brings many research based ideas and many life experiences related to criticism. Please join us in our discussion.

Talking points:

Introduction to criticism
- The 12 rules of managing criticism.
- How to potentially handle different criticism.
- Ramifications based on how you handle criticism.
- How to handle constructive criticism.

Today we talk with Chief Joe Kitchen current At Large Director about OFCA membership benefits.
Some discussion points are:
-Getting the most out of your membership.
-How to become involved as a member.
-Career benefits of being a member.
-Hidden benefits of being a member.

Today we talk with Retired Chief Tom Wallace and Retired Chief Scott Skeldon about the Ohio Fire and Rescue Officer Development Conference and the benefits of attending. Some discussion points are:
- How to register
- Overall background of the conference
- What to expect
- What to bring
- About the vendors

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