Side Alpha Leadership
By David Polikoff
Categories: Business, Management, Education
"Because leadership isn't optional—it's the job. Whether you're stepping into your first officer role or you've been leading crews for years, this podcast is here to sharpen your edge. My guests and I dive into the real challenges of leading in the fire service—no ego, no fluff—just straight talk, hard lessons, and solid tools to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and grit." Lead From the Front. Own the Fireground.
74 episodes indexed on PodSearch.
Recent episodes
- Leadership Depends: Why One Style Doesn't Fit Every Firefighter
What makes someone a leader? Is it the bugles on your collar? The title on your office door? The years you've spent on the job? Not even close. In this episode of Side Alpha Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Shelley Wheeler, retired captain, author, leadership researcher, and organizational…
- Leadership Is Behavior, Not a Badge
🔥 The fire service isn't about you — it's about the people you serve and the firefighters you lead. In this hard-hitting episode of *Side Alpha Leadership*, I sit down with Assistant Chief Moses Jefferies to talk real fire service leadership — the kind that happens at 2 a.m. when you're tired…
- No Blueprint, No Excuses — How Real Leaders Build Systems That Last
🚒 What happens when you have to build an entire fire department from scratch — policies, people, and leadership included? In this episode, I sit down with Lt. Dave Olson of Carroll County Fire and Rescue in Maryland, to talk about what it really takes to launch a new career fire service inside a…
- Chief Lessons They Don't Teach You
Too many chiefs talk about leadership like it's a slogan on a poster. In this raw Side Alpha Leadership conversation, I sit down with Corley Moore (The Weekly Scrap, Firehouse Vigilance) to rip into what leadership in the fire service really looks like. We break down: Why hiding behind a desk…
- If Your Size-Up Starts at Dispatch, You're Already Losing
🔥 On this episode of Side Alpha Leadership, I sat down with my good friend Hank Henline to dig into what it really means to lead from the front as a fire service lieutenant. We didn't just talk theory—we got into the real-world stuff that makes or breaks an officer on the fireground: size-ups…
- "Stop Poisoning the Ranks: Tackling Toxic Leadership"
In this episode, Mike Goldstein and I discuss various aspects of the fire service, including Mike's journey, the importance of passion, mental health, toxic leadership, and the balance between work and family life. we emphasize the need for supportive environments, self-awareness in leadership…
- Volunteer firefighting and the hard look ahead
In this conversation, David Polikoff and Jason Rivera discuss the challenges and experiences within the fire service, with a focus on recruitment, retention, and training. Jason shares his extensive background in firefighting, highlighting the importance of community and interpersonal…
- Rising Through the Ranks: Firefighter Leadership & Mentorship Uncovered
Summary In this conversation, David Polikoff interviews Raymen Dorival, a seasoned firefighter and lieutenant, discussing his journey from being a firefighter to taking on leadership roles. They explore the challenges of transitioning into officer positions, the importance of training and teaching…
- You want to be the best, you gotta train!
In this engaging conversation, Dave McGlynn and I explore the multifaceted world of the fire service, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, mental health awareness, and the innovations in training. They discuss the significance of networking at events like FDIC, the challenges leaders…
- Urban Firefighting: Challenges and Solutions
In this engaging conversation, David Polikoff and Joe Grossi share insights from their firefighting careers, focusing on the challenges of urban environments and the importance of effective decision-making. They discuss innovations in equipment, the balance between traditional and modern forcible…
- Cultivating Leadership and Culture in the Fire Service
I'm thrilled to chat with Mike Nasti, a dedicated fire officer from the Washington metropolitan area in this episode! Join us as we explore Mike's incredible journey in the fire service, highlighting the crucial role of mentorship and the power of learning from our mistakes. We dive into the…
- Bridging the Gap: Academics and Practical Experience
Summary In this engaging conversation, David Polikoff and Rob Policht discuss the evolution of the fire service, emphasizing the importance of education, critical thinking, and collaboration in training. They explore the challenges of budgeting and apparatus costs, the need for better retention…
- Mentorship, Leadership and high standards in the Fire Service
In this episode of Side Alpha Leadership, host David Polikoff speaks with Anthony Rowett, a captain in the Mobile Fire Rescue Department. They discuss Anthony's journey from a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey to his current role in Alabama, the unique challenges of firefighting in a port city…
- The past, the present and paying it forward with Chief John Norman
This month I had the honor to speak with FDNY Chief John Norman (ret). Take what you learned and pay it forward. Make the fire service better than you found it. Cherish the kitchen table talks and strive to learn something new every day. This is the best job in the world, and it is a blessing to…
- Hurry up and slow down, make a decision
This month I welcome Dr. Shelley Wheeler back to the show. This show is all about making decision on the fire ground. We offer advice to the new officer on making critical decisions with little information. We discussed Recognition Prime Decision model. This model is what firefighters use on the…
- Being the Truck Boss
This month i talk with Capt. Mike Burkett. Mike is a Captain with the Baltimore City Fire Department assigned to Truck 5 and an instructor with Capitol Fire Training. Mike and I discuss being the Truck boss. Crew expectations Operating in commercial and residential structures Searching vacant…
- Sleep deprived, anxiety and inflammation CBD can help
Sleep deprived, anxiety and inflammation ,CBD is helping first responders as well as nurses and doctors cope with the stresses our work hands us. Jon Vought and I discuss the stresses our job has. John is the owner of Rescue 1 CBD. His product is 100% THC free. Jon and I dig deep into what his…
- Change the culture by going back in time
This month i sit down with Stephanie White. We discuss CBD in the fire service, the kitchen table, keeping a heathy shift and changing the culture by looking at the past. We are firefighters, our job is to go into burning buildings and put fires out. It seems we have steered away from our past…
- Tactical Considerations for Garden Apartment Fires
Tactical Considerations for Garden Apartment Fires One of the more complex fires we are faced with is fires in garden apartments. This month I welcome back Capt. Bobby Eckert of the Camden New Jersey Fire Department. Bobby and I dig deep into the subject. Garden Apartments are in all areas of the…
- The art of decision making
This month I ask the questions, why are people reluctant to make decisions? How do we overcome the fear of making a decision on the fireground? what tools can we use to help people to make quick decisions with less than perfect information. I enlist the help of Deputy Chief Shane Darwick. Shane is…
- I'll take "what do firefighters hate" for $1000, What is change
This month I sit down with my boys RJ and Sam. we talk tactics, learning new things, keeping your emotions in check and dealing with the dreaded word, change! It was great to just freestyle the conversation.
- Treat your people like you want to be treated
This month I speak with Steve Jones. Steve retired from Montgomery County MD as the Operations Deputy Chief. Steve and I have known each other for many years. We both started as High School Cadets for the fire department. Steve talks about his career in the fire service and what he learned along…
- Your people deserve the best leaders. Train to be the best
In this episode I talk with Battalion Chief Rafael Gibson. Chief Gibson is assigned to the Training Academy in Montgomery County Maryland. As chiefs we demand our people to train every day and be the best. Your people expect you to be equally trained to be the best. Chief Gibson discusses the new…
- Going old school with my dad
In this episode I sit down with my dad Mike Kerr. We discuss the fire service back in the day and how it has changed. My dad tells his story about his love of the fire service as a kid and how he got started as a volunteer in Prince Georges County in Greenbelt, to becoming a career firefighter…
- To make big changes you have to start small
This month I had the pleasure to speak to Asst. Chief Siddiq. We discussed a lot of topics. Change in the fire service is hard and you will be met with resistance if you try to go big right away. The key is to start small, get buy from those closest to you. Be honest with your reason for change…
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