No Exceptions Leadership
A podcast that discusses leadership principles from the fire service that are applicable for anybody wanting to be better leaders and to achieve success in all facets of your life. I take the lessons learned from over 20 years of leading in the fire service and apply them to daily challenges. We want to help individuals succeed in daily life no matter what your goals are and the challenges you are facing.
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Basic Size Up for Single Family Homes
04/22/2020
Basic Size Up for Single Family Homes
Just a simple and basic presentation done as a webinar for basic size up. This was done to keep it very simple for those that registered can take it to their departments and insert their unique needs into the program.
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EHT Episode 46: Q and A
01/27/2019
EHT Episode 46: Q and A
This episode is a question answer discussion about search and rescue. The bottom line is that we aren't good enough at searching and we need to pay particular attention to our techniques. Additionally, we need to ensure that we are supporting the search at every fire, assume there are victims until WE prove otherwise.
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EHT Episode 45-Vertical Vent Part 2 and Overhaul
12/15/2018
EHT Episode 45-Vertical Vent Part 2 and Overhaul
In this episode Mike Torres brings on a group while driving around in Homewood, IL. Great discussion on the remainder of vertical ventilation and then they shift gears into overhaul. Be sure to rate us on iTunes an leave a comment.
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EHT Episode 44-Vertical Ventilation
12/15/2018
EHT Episode 44-Vertical Ventilation
In this episode the group discusses vertical ventilation on peaked and flat roofs, including commercial versus residential. Tim and Jeff have guests on this episode with great information and experience on ventilation. Tai Rondeau and Beau Espinosa join us with some valuable information and tips on conducting vertical ventilation.
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EHT Episode 42: Search Part 3
11/10/2018
EHT Episode 42: Search Part 3
This episode we discuss the challenges of victim removal and large area search with our panel. Please listen in and share!
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EHT Episode 41: Search Part 2
11/03/2018
EHT Episode 41: Search Part 2
In this episode the gang is back with a good discussion on tools and equipment we use to supplement our search skills and techniques. Be sure that whatever you use, you understand and know its capabilities and limitations of those tools. TIC's are tools and don't bury your face in these tools, use it as a supplement.
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EHT Episode 40: Truck Work Part 6--Search and Rescue Part 1
08/21/2018
EHT Episode 40: Truck Work Part 6--Search and Rescue Part 1
In this episode the group discusses some basics of search and rescue. As you can guess, this is a topic that provides a great many avenues and options. The critical nature of this tactic is why we do what we do--to save lives. What may seem simple and easy is really a skill that must be practiced and trained on as often as possible. Take a listen and share if you like what you hear!
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EHT Episode 039--Truck Ops Part 5--Part 2 of Ground Ladders
06/29/2018
EHT Episode 039--Truck Ops Part 5--Part 2 of Ground Ladders
Join us again with Part 2 on ground ladders. The group will discuss deployment, ladder choice and some common sense ideas for using ground ladders, no matter the size or location of your department.
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EHT Episode 38–Truck Ops Part 4–Ground Ladders part 1
05/26/2018
EHT Episode 38–Truck Ops Part 4–Ground Ladders part 1
This is part one of the use of ground ladders. In this episode we discuss the challenges of where we store them, deploying them and some of the small nuances that can make all the difference in your ground ladder uses. No matter how large or small your department, you will be faced with the need to deploy ground ladders and this discussion will give you some things to consider when developing your SOG’s and deployment models. We talk about apparatus and how we order and store ground ladders. placement on the building number to deploy angles and reach VES and search inspection tie the halyard or not?
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EHT--Episode 37 Corrected File-Truck Ops--Part 3
05/23/2018
EHT--Episode 37 Corrected File-Truck Ops--Part 3
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EHT Episode 37--Truck Ops Part 3-Forcible Entry
05/19/2018
EHT Episode 37--Truck Ops Part 3-Forcible Entry
The gang is back for part three--Forcible entry. They discuss tool selection and uses along with types of challenges that can be faced from truck company members during working incidents and how to overcome them.
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EHT-036-Truck Ops 2
04/19/2018
EHT-036-Truck Ops 2
This episode discusses the transitioning from an engine or other company to the truck company. Your panel discusses the differences you can expect when operating on a truck company as opposed to the engine. The experience of the panel offers a unique perspective that can be applied to any department. Remember, it's not the apparatus that makes the truck work, it's the assignment and tasks performed. Be sure to check out of the Chicago FD at teaching in the HOT class Catch Captain Arthur Ashley in his classroom session on Thursday at 3:30 in room 231-233. If you have questions, feel to contact us at [email protected] and we look forward to seeing you soon.
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EHT-35 Truck Ops Intro
04/03/2018
EHT-35 Truck Ops Intro
This is the first in a series of podcasts from Engine House Training, LLC that will discuss Truck Work. We will be creating these series of podcasts on everything operational over the next several weeks and months. So, be sure to stay tuned in for many more informational and fun podcasts on all things firefighting! This episode is dedicated to a brief introduction about truck work. The panel discusses, in general, what truck work is and why it is so important. It's not about the apparatus, it's about the tasks completed to facilitate extinguishment and rescue. Today, Mike Torres, Tim Schultz, Jeff Weffelmeyer and Jason Hoevelmann offer their options and experiences in this podcast and will be regular contributors to this series. The next podcast will be live and will allow you to ask questions and to get real-time answers to your questions. All of the members will be happy to respond to your emails or messages. So, be sure to share this podcast and the rest of them with your friends and departments--definitely use these for training..that's the whole idea!!
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EHT--Episode 34--Tom Goran on Leadership
01/18/2018
EHT--Episode 34--Tom Goran on Leadership
In this episode Chief Reilly and Chief Hoevelmann talk with Tom Goran of the Columbia Missouri Fire Department on his evolution as a leader and creating content for his site .
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EHT Podcast--033--Command Resources
10/23/2017
EHT Podcast--033--Command Resources
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032--EHT--Sub Level Challenges Part 1 with Adam Hansen
07/22/2017
032--EHT--Sub Level Challenges Part 1 with Adam Hansen
This episode Jason discusses sub-level challenges with Adam Hansen from Milford, CT. Adam has written two recent articles with and we discuss some of the content. Be sure to check it out and share.
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031--EHT--Double Edged Sword of Loyalty
07/14/2017
031--EHT--Double Edged Sword of Loyalty
The Double Edge Sword of Loyalty There are bad leaders out there, no doubt “Management reserves the right to manage poorly” What you should expect: Fair & consistent treatment Genuine concern for your wellbeing & development The tools & support you need to do your job To be challenged and to be made to demonstrate your proficiency What your leaders should expect For you to do your job (Mark Von Alpen Fully Involved) For you to be engaged in the organization For you to respect our craft & our profession For you to respect the right of the leader to make decisions To ask questions So when the leaders are not “loyal” ask Why do I think that? Exactly what did they do to make me say that? Can I help to make things better? How are my skills, it is easy to be critic in the recliner. Link to
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The Leadership Triad
06/21/2017
The Leadership Triad
Chief Dennis Reilly and Jason Hoevelmann discuss leadership for firefighters and fire officers specifically regarding being a consistent leader and officer using the Leadership Triad. It comes downs to a strong moral compass and the firm foundation based on ethics and doing what's right. THE MORAL & ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS OF BEING AN OFFICER: Your decisions and actions need to be driven by your own moral compass Your compass needs to be in line with that of the organization There should be no question where you stand among your subordinates, your peers, and your superiors. Moral & ethically driven people bring consistency and stability to their work place. EXPECTATIONS: If you do not lay out your expectations there is no guarantee on what you will get Expectations need to be in writing, invest the time now to avoid the “Well I didn’t know what you wanted” in the future. At the task level positions, expectations need to center around tasks, at leadership positons expectations need to include attitudes & behaviors. MODELING: You will get what you display as your normal operating mode What you model is the future for your organization. As an officer, you have a Moral & Ethical Obligation to leave your organization better than what you found it. Chief Lasky once aid “Follow ugly kids home and you will find ugly parents”. What you model is what they will do when you are not around. ACCOUNTABILITY: This can be quite uncomfortable but as an officer you must be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You have a Moral & Ethical obligation to correct unsatisfactory or counterproductive behaviors. We didn’t promote you because you look good, we expect you to do your job. If you fail to hold your members accountable there is a good chance that your boss will hold you accountable. In some organizations, this is known as “failure to supervise” and can lead to demotion and/or termination. All driven by the Moral & Ethical obligations of being an officer Mission First * Do Your Job
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Never Forget: Father's Day LODD Fires
06/15/2017
Never Forget: Father's Day LODD Fires
Chief Joe Pronesti and Jason Hoevelmann discuss three fires that happened on, or near Father's Day. The fires had a huge impact on many families, as all line of duty deaths do and we felt it appropriate to discuss the lessons and stories of these fires. Chief Pronesti also has a recent article about these fires in and the link is below. Here are some additional links for more information about these fires.
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Don't Let the Bad Days Win
06/12/2017
Don't Let the Bad Days Win
This podcast is for all of us that struggle from time to time with the opinions of others. In most cases, when we put ourselves out there in any format, whether be as an engaged, energetic firefighter or officer to posting and blogging and writing and teaching, there are those that go out of their way to try and knock us down. This is my response and therapy. I hope is keeps you going! Do NOT allow those that will never put themselves in a position to be challenged and criticized to affect your motivation. Keep pushing!
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Command Considerations--First Arriving: Part 1
05/19/2017
Command Considerations--First Arriving: Part 1
Don't over-compicate the roll of command. In this episode Chief Pronesti discusses a simple initial size up option that takes into account the building. This is not the only option out there, just one we discussed in this particular episode. Size--how do you determine size and define that for your crews? Use--understand the special hazards that each use group holds for firefighting operations and the members Type--this requires you to get out and to see buildings and to understand that what we see is not always the facts. Era--this is a critical piece of the puzzle that is forgotten. Get out and learn about the era your buildings were built in and the characteristics of those buildings.
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Commanding the Mayday: Part 1
04/15/2017
Commanding the Mayday: Part 1
Nothing can be so chaotic as a firefighter in trouble that calls a Mayday. The fire service spends a lot of time and resources in training firefighters and task level officers in techniques and methods for calling a Mayday and surviving those situations---as it should be! However, there has been little developed and created in the way of real, meaningful training for incident commanders to hone their skills in handling a Mayday. This podcast will discuss, generally, about commanding a Mayday. It is part 1 of a multi-part series that will focus on the IC and his/her role in handling the Mayday for a successful outcome. Our special guest for this series is of the Elyria, OH Fire Department. He speaks from experiences and his in-depth training. Chief Pronesti will be speaking at on on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 08:00-12:00 in Rooms 132-133. Below are some examples of what Chief Pronesti is doing and offering. A lazy boy training of to talk about VEiS go or no go heavy fire on div 2. Practice your command! — Joe Pronesti (@efdchief3)
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Columbia Memorial Stair Climb
04/08/2017
Columbia Memorial Stair Climb
Check out their page at REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!! PLEASE JOIN US!! After you climb 110 stories you will feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Sure, you'll be proud that you finished the climb, but more importantly, you'll take pride in knowing that in this great country there are still hero's that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep all of us safe. 343 Firefighters, 70 Law Enforcement Officers, and 9 EMS Technicians died at the World Trade Center on 9/11. If you look closely, you will see that the American flag on the back of this shirt is comprised of 422 names. These are the names of the fallen. THIS IS WHY WE CLIMB! Register to climb before 4.24.2017 and you will receive one of these amazing shirts! Go to to register now.
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Surviving the Poor Company or Department
02/10/2017
Surviving the Poor Company or Department
Chief Reilly took some fabulous notes, here they are: Set your standards, your own code, and then live by them. Do not allow others to define what good or bad is. Management always has the right to manage poorly Normally bad assignments done last forever. Don’t do something that will stay with you for your entire career. One of the worst things to be labeled is a malcontent. Surround yourself with good people, positive energy comes for this. Stay in your lane. If you are a firefighter in a bad situation, then just concentrate on being the best firefighter you can. If you are a chauffeur or a company officer same thing. Your ability with two, five, seven years of experience probably is going to be very limited to influence the mind of a 30 year veteran. How many of the stupid things that management/leadership impact you? “Oh that’s a stupid rule I would never do that” Well good then you don’t need to worry about it. I can guarantee you that even if you wouldn’t do that, someone else did and that is the reason why they came out with the rule!!! Don’t worry about making them look bad, let them make you look good. Remember it is still the best job in the world. If they are putting you in the position where you don’t feel that any more you might want to think about moving on.
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Setting Expectations: Part 1
07/22/2016
Setting Expectations: Part 1
This podcast addresses only three components of setting expectations for your members. It is really one of the most important things you need to do as a newly promoted officer, or if you are trying to gain control of a division, shift or crew. If they don't know what's expected, it's impossible for you expect it from them.
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With or Without the Hose Line?
07/15/2016
With or Without the Hose Line?
In the last few weeks I posted about being aggressive. In that post I mentioned that we, our department, will search without a hose line. This seemed to raise some eyebrows and concern about what I said. This podcast addresses what I mean by that and some ways to search without the hose line in your hands. We train and operate in a manner that allows our crews to search unattached to a hose line. For good reason too because we have trained and drilled and found that we are delaying one tactic or the other when we search strictly off of the hose line while making the attack. We allow the fire to grow unchecked and we delay the search for victims when we are trying to do both at the same time. It's critical that you train and operate within your resources and SOG's. Thanks for listening and take care.
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Take the High Road: No Gossip Allowed
03/31/2016
Take the High Road: No Gossip Allowed
This episode discusses the harm and challenges associated with speaking out of turn and partaking in the gossip that can be so ever prevalent. Take the high road, don't participate and get all of the facts before speaking about something or someone. It can be harmful to the person being talked about and to your credibility and reputation.
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5 Common Mistakes New Officers Make
03/25/2016
5 Common Mistakes New Officers Make
Here is a video of a recent FREE webinar about five common mistakes that new fire officers tend make. These are by no means exclusive, but from my experience are committed by many new officers.
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Bailout Basics
03/11/2016
Bailout Basics
Bailout is a last option for us when things go bad. We can do all of the right things and still find ourselves in trouble. It doesn't and won't happen often when we train and operate in standard manners, but we have to be prepared.
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For the Good of Group
03/10/2016
For the Good of Group
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