The Training Officer

10/20/2026

Check out my latest Fire Engineering article.

The best engine crews don’t just train to meet the standard. They train to set it.

10/13/2026

Check out my latest article in this month's issue of Fire Engineering Magazine.

10/09/2026

In life, we all face different levels of adversity. While it would be nice to always have a brightly lit path that allows us to clearly see what's ahead, the reality is, life just doesn't work that way.

Take the honeybee, for example. Regardless of how bright or gloomy the skies may be, honeybees use the sun to help navigate their way. Even through the clouds and overcast skies, they have an incredible ability to stay oriented and continue moving toward their destination.

There's a lesson in that for all of us.

Life isn't always going to give us a clear path. We're going to face dark days, uncertainty, setbacks, and moments when we question whether we're even heading in the right direction.

But adversity doesn't mean we've lost our way. Sometimes it simply means we need to trust our direction, remain focused on our purpose, and keep moving forward, even when we can't clearly see what's ahead.

We can't control every storm we encounter, but we can control how we navigate through it.

Be like the honeybee. Stay locked in. Stay focused. Keep moving toward your destination.

Because the clouds won't always be there, and just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean it stopped shining.

10/06/2026

Old Stomping Grounds, where I fell in love with this thing of ours.

10/03/2026

Get registered now for EMS & FIRE PRO Expo. Come join me Thursday (10/22) 8am-11am for "The Training Officer: Do You Have What It Takes?" See ya at Mohegan Sun!
https://emspro.org/register-now/

10/02/2026

Check out this month's episode of the Fire Engineering Podcast The Training Officer with guests Chief David Rhodes & Mike Brown from Jems wher3 we discuss what's in store for FDIC 2027.

What can firefighters, officers, instructors, and EMS professionals...

10/01/2026

Michael Goldstein from The CAN Report recorded this moment back in April while we were on the Firefighter Nation Wellness Stage at Lucas Oil Stadium during FDIC. The conversation with Bobby Drake & Billy Hux got deep, and in this moment, I realized just how much my family means to me.

My parents set the bar for what it means to be a parent. I’m not sure I’ll ever reach that bar, and one of my biggest struggles is wondering sometimes if I’m doing enough, if I’m being the role model my kids deserve.

Tonight is the last night of September, a month dedicated to Su***de Prevention, and I just want to remind every parent, firefighter, first responder, and anyone fighting a battle nobody else sees:

The days are going to get tough. Life is going to test you. But never lose sight of the people back home.

They’re the ones who matter most.

They’re the reason we keep showing up.

And sometimes, they’re the ones who keep us in the fight.

09/28/2026

There’s a BIG difference between leading people and managing every move they make.

Micromanagers often disguise their behavior with phrases like, “I’m just establishing a level of accountability.” But accountability without trust, direction, and development isn’t leadership, it’s control.

Sometimes that constant oversight is really overcompensation. Instead of taking the time to understand the job, learn the strengths of the people they lead, and trust their experience, micromanagers reject input and smother people with redundant and repetitive taskers, unnecessary deadlines, and constant questioning.

Leaders establish expectations, provide direction, and then empower people to execute. They develop people instead of trying to control them. They listen. They trust. They coach. And when something needs corrected, they correct it.

Your title or rank may give you authority.
It doesn’t automatically make you a leader.

09/19/2026

Training is only part of the outcome.

We can train hard, put in the reps, and dedicate countless hours to getting better, but effort alone isn’t the end goal. We train to produce RESULTS.

Put in the effort during training, build the skills and abilities, and then when it matters most, execute them in the field.

DON’T CONFUSE EFFORT WITH RESULTS.
Train with purpose. Perform when it counts.

09/07/2026

Thank you to the American workforce who puts in the time every day to provide for their families and keep our country moving. A special thank you to our First Responders, Medical Professionals & Military who still show up today to keep us safe.