The Kitchen Table

This conversation at the Kitchen Table – Quick Hit discusses the search size up.  The last QH we discussed the overall size up from a command perspective and now we will start to narrow our focus to some of the tasks we perform on the fire ground starting with arguably the most important task we perform, search.  Justin White is joined by Lieutenant Josh Talbot and Driver Kevin Farraher to provide insight on the thought process sur...

The NIOSH multi-year firefighter cancer study identified that fire fighters have a 9% greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% greater chance of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.

At the 2022 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75% of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who had died from occupational cancer.  Overall, the IAFF reports that cancer caused 66 percent of the c...

This episode is an experiment with something different.  It’s called the “Quick Hits” series.  These will be short conversations about a specific topic and will last no longer than 20 minutes.  Let us know what you think.

This episode Justin White sits down with Lieutenant Brian Lynch to discuss the value of 360 Size Ups.  They get into what there're for, why we do them, and how they should be completed.  This is truly one of the m...

Leader of Character (S3, E1) - There are plenty of leadership speakers and authors available who tell all who will listen what they need to be a great leader.  Often times, however, these leadership guru’s don’t provide their students the things they need to do to practice the skills needed to be that effective leader.  In this episode we talk with author Dave Anderson who has written a book that not only describes the traits neede...

Sometimes life throws us curveballs…Sometime we reach our goals and fulfill our dreams just to have them ripped away by unfortunate circumstances.  At that time we have we have two choices: give up, back down and become miserable or Ruck On finding new ways to live happy, healthy, and successful lives.

In this episode we talk to former Army Officer Joe Kramer.  Joe grew up dreaming of following in his father’s footsteps from attend...

Being a firefighter, a first responder, is a job full of stress.  Stress from running alarms. Stress from training.  Stress from not sleeping at work (and at home).  All this stress can compound the stress associated with everyday life and lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations.  The stress from this job and life in general is real as are the physical and mental toll that compounds over time.  We’re no...

Anthony Kastros is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and a retired Battalion Chief with Sacramento Metro Fire District. Chief Kastros was personally affected by a fatal fire early in his career which fueled his desire to improve his command and control skills. Through this event, he discovered not only a desire to improve himself, but also a passion and desire to teach others with the hope that they would not have to have the s...

Many consider ice hockey to be the ultimate team game. A culture developed over 100 years emphasizes that no one is above the game, the team comes first, and the term “we” instead of “I” is most used whenever players discuss the game. The fire service attracts people from all walks of life; it truly is a direct reflection of the community. Many who join the fire service have been involved and/or enjoy athletics for the “team” aspec...

Some of the best lessons we learn in the fire service come from the kitchen table.  We have debates, discussions, and even sometimes arguments about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.  Regardless of the topic or how heated the debate, one thing is for sure…many times these lessons are the ones we remember.  We gain different perspectives that allow us to get a more well-rounded view of the topic(s) of the day.  ...

Tough conversations are a part of leadership.  They are uncomfortable, they are necessary, and by nature they are tough.  Many in leadership roles struggle to have these conversations even when they know that they will likely benefit both the organization and all the parties involved.  This episode Josh and I sit down to talk to CSFD Human Resource Director, Angela Hines.  Ms. Hines discusses how to have tough conversations, the ro...

This episode we welcome our first guest from outside the fire department, Noble Gibbens.  Noble is a West Point graduate, former Army Officer, and a self-described recovering people pleaser addict.  Mr. Gibbens’ is a private consultant who works with corporate clients to better define, understand, and integrate Emotional Intelligence (EQ) into their organizations.  Noble is very passionate about EQ which shows in the energy he pump...

This episode we celebrate another retirement with Fred Varnell and his wife Cindy.  Fred has spent almost 30 years of his life working for the CSFD.  Both he and Cindy share stories from their careers (Cindy worked for CSPD) and how those careers shaped their lives and their relationship.  Fred also shares his thoughts on leadership and how to best coach and mentor our leaders of the future.  Come join us for some laughs and a bit ...

This episode we present a Public Service Announcement regarding Cancer Awareness.  We visit with Lieutenant Chris Weaver and retired Driver Engineer Aaron Johnson a.k.a. Turtle about Chris’s involvement with cancer awareness and Turtle’s personal battle with cancer.  Cancer touches all our lives one way or another, either through a personal diagnosis or through the diagnosis of someone we love.  There are things you can do to help ...

The use of On Deck crews is nothing new to the CSFD.  What is new, however, is this assignment being called “On Deck”.  This episode we discuss the history and proper use of On Deck crews during our incidents with Battalion Chief David Rocco and Captain Ken Anderson.  Also discussed is the relationship between air consumption and the activation of crews On Deck.  It is our hope that our member get a clearer understanding of how our...

Retirement is the end of the race and the beginning of the celebration.  In this episode, we share in the beginning of the celebration with Fire Chief Ted Collas, Stacey Collas, and Paramedic Michael Collas.  At the kitchen table, we focus on learning who our Fire Chief is as a person by discussing with the various events that helped shape Chief Collas throughout his life.  We also talk to the Chief and his family about his fire se...