Fire Headlines
In the Fire Headlines weekly podcast, industry thought leader Chief Ken Kehmna teams up with Western Fire Chiefs Association host Samantha Didion to explore the most popular fire service news stories alongside subject matter experts from various backgrounds. It is our collective mission to bring you, the listener, into the conversation about the rapidly changing landscape of emergency response in America. Together, we will assess both the challenges and opportunities that first responders face today.
Episodes
On this week’s episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna and special guest Darrell Reid, Vice President of Strategy at Darkhorse Emergency. With over 30 years of experience in the fire service, including serving as a Fire Chief in multiple Canadian cities, Darrell now shares his expertise to help fire departments leverage analytics and data for smarter decision-making.
This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna sit down with Genasys Senior Vice President Michael Smith and Vice President of Field Operations Steve Sickler at WFCA’s IGNITE Symposium. In the midst of devastating wildfires and other natural disasters, the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources is crucial for saving lives and ensuring the safety of communities. This episode delves in...
This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna are at WFCA’s first ever IGNITE Symposium. They sit down with Emergent Tech President David Blankinship and Microsoft's Director of Technology Strategy for State and Local Government, Sai Narain, to discuss the changing landscape of fire service leadership, focusing on the profound impact of data, AI, and technology on decision-making and operations. The con...
This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist, Chief Ken Kehmna, discuss an often-overlooked danger firefighters face while on duty—freak accidents that can lead to severe injuries. Inspired by an article featured in the Daily Dispatch about a Kansas City firefighter who was injured when a fire hose coupling struck his leg, the discussion highlights both the random nature of such accidents and the importance of safety m...
In today’s episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss an exciting innovation in wildfire fighting technology—a non-toxic fire retardant developed by two teenagers from Silicon Valley. Inspired by their firsthand experience with wildfire smoke, these young innovators have created a groundbreaking product called Clore, designed to protect properties from the devastating impact of wildfire...
This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna dive into the topic of the classic fire pole versus the modern-day fire slide. As shared in an article from the Daily Dispatch, the Bartlesville Fire Department recently replaced their traditional fire poles with slides to improve efficiency, prompting a deeper discussion on the pros, cons, and safety aspects of both methods.
This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the significant and dangerous impact of unauthorized drones on firefighting efforts. A story featured in the Daily Dispatch highlights a recent incident at the Palisades Fire on January 9, 2025, where a drone collided with a firefighting aircraft. The collision forced all aircraft to land, temporarily halting aerial operations. The panel explores how the...
In this episode of Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss the challenges many fire departments face with fleet management, particularly the rising costs of purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus. With financial pressures mounting, some departments, like Amarillo Fire Department, are considering leasing fire trucks as an alternative to traditional purchasing. Chief Kehmna shares insights into how...
In this episode of Fire Headlines, we delve into the crucial role that empathy plays in first responder training. Our guest, Chief Ken Kehmna, shares insights on how empathy can be integrated into training programs to improve both technical skills and compassionate care. We also discuss how innovative tools like Lifecast Body Simulation Manikins are helping first responders better prepare for real-life scenarios.
To kick off the New Year, organizational psychologist and longtime friend of the show, Dr. Andrew Holter joins Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna to dive into the crucial concepts of psychological safety, leadership, and team dynamics within the fire service. Dr. Holter shares his experiences both from the academic and practical sides, offering valuable insights into how fire service organizations can improve...
In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna explore a unique program called Industrial Artistic and Creative Therapy (IACT), designed to help first responders and veterans cope with PTSD and stress through blacksmithing. They discuss how this creative therapy provides a therapeutic outlet and offers participants the chance to develop new skills while connecting with others who share similar struggle...
In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the transformative impact of robotics in the fire service. They begin with a look at the Tulsa Fire Department’s use of drones to monitor a large chemical fire at a petroleum tank farm. The discussion highlights how advancements like these are reshaping operational strategies and safety measures in the fire service.
In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the growing dangers of hazardous social media trends, focusing on the recent "mirror fire challenge" that involves rubbing alcohol. This trend has already caused severe injuries, highlighting the urgent need for fire service professionals to address these risks proactively.
In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion speaks with Chief Ken Kehmna about the impact of lithium-ion batteries on fire service operations. They discuss the challenges posed by electric vehicles, e-bikes, and scooters, as well as the evolution of tactics and prevention strategies in the fire service.
In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to explore the rising focus on pet rescue equipment in the fire service. With Colorado Springs Fire Department introducing emergency pet kits, the discussion highlights how the fire service is adapting to meet community needs and redefining the role of pets in emergency response.
Discover fire station resilience and strategies for responding when the station becomes the scene on the latest episode of WFCA's Fire Headlines Podcast
In this episode, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss the use of inmates as trained firefighters, a program utilized by 35 counties in Georgia as reported in an article shared in the Daily Dispatch. With a shortage of firefighters, these counties have turned to prison-trained inmates to provide essential first-response services. In this conversation, Samantha and Chief Kehmna delve into the benefits, challe...
In this episode of Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the pressing issue of EMS personnel shortages across the U.S. Following a recent article shared in the Daily Dispatch, this week's episode highlights Cincinnati State’s expanded EMT and paramedic program as one solution, to address this shortage. While the Cincinnati initiative is promising, the conversation dives deeper into the nationwide shortage, ex...
In this week's episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna and Chief Kim Zagaris (also known as Chief Z), WFCA Senior Operations Advisor. They delve into the vital contributions of Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) member departments to hurricane response efforts, particularly in light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which has claimed nearly 300 lives.
This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna delve into the growing issue of energy drink consumption at firefighter training sites. This topic has garnered significant attention in the Daily Dispatch after the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association banned energy drinks at all hands-on class sites. The decision came in response to the alarming rise in energy drink intake and two recent firefighte...
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