First Responders

How do you build and maintain positive relationships with partner agencies and other stakeholders?

Unifying missions: Building relationships with agencies and stakeholders

Yeah, definitely think that maintaining positive relationships with partner agencies and also stakeholders is so important. And I think a lot of times we get in our own ways of thinking that, you know, we have more calls or we're a bigger agency, but at the end of the day, we all do the same job and we all have different Specialties. We all have different equipment. We have different budgets but our main goal in our main mission is to help the community. Tea and make sure that every single man and woman firefighter comes home at the end of shift. And so when you try to build that relationship that positive relationship, make sure you're coming from a place that you understand that we are all doing this together and doing it for the same reason and continue to progress that in a positive manner.

It's important to maintain positive relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders as we all have the same goal of helping the community and making sure that every firefighter comes home at the end of their shift.

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Building and maintaining positive relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders is crucial. It's important to recognize that despite differences in size, resources, and specialties, we all share the same goal of helping the community and ensuring the safety of firefighters.

Approach these relationships with the understanding that we are all in this together and working towards a common mission. Focus on collaboration and progress in a positive manner. By keeping this mindset, you can foster strong and lasting relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.

How do you support and mentor your team of firefighters and other personnel?

The Key to Supporting and Mentoring Firefighters: A Critical Team Strategy

Is it great question in, how do you support and Mentor your other firefighters and other personnel? And I think the biggest thing is that to be a team, a brother and a sister, who is the biggest thing for the fire service? Because when we go through calls, it's not, we are constantly adapting and changing our training, but yet at the same point, the existing things that we've learned from fires from medical calls from emergencies dealing with natural disasters. Us to God forbid. Anything that deals with like human tragedies as far as terrorism. I think we've learned that being able to support and Mentor your other firefighters in situations that not only deal with in the moment. But after the moment because those are one of the hardest situations to understand. Because a lot of the things that go on within the fire service and scenes and calls is something that we're not going to understand. And why they happened and making sure that there's a support network. Making sure that, you know, each individual, make sure to have a mentor or somebody that they can count on any time of the day. That is so critical for firefighters. Medics police, anybody?

To support and mentor other firefighters, the most important thing is to be a team and provide a support network. Having mentors that can be counted on any time of day is critical for all emergency responders.

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Supporting and mentoring firefighters and other personnel is a crucial aspect of my role. The key is to foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie within the fire service. We constantly adapt and update our training based on our experiences with fires, medical calls, emergencies, and natural disasters. We also learn from human tragedies, such as acts of terrorism.

Supporting and mentoring our team members involves being there for them not only during challenging situations but also afterward. It's important to acknowledge that there are aspects of our work that we may never fully understand. We must provide a strong support network and ensure that each individual has a mentor or someone they can rely on at any time of the day.

This support system is critical for firefighters, medics, police, and anyone in similar roles. By creating an environment of support and mentorship, we can help our team members navigate the complexities of their work and provide them with the guidance and assistance they need.

How do you handle conflicts and challenges within your department, and how do you promote a culture of accountability and professionalism?

Promoting Accountability & Professionalism: Insights from a Firefighter

So I think when you look at conflict and challenges within like stations or within a department and promote that accountability and professionalism, I think it starts from the top it starts from your senior. Firefighters it starts from your senior Chiefs, things like that. I think if they show the professionalism and accountability that they're looking for as well as you know, the accountability and professionalism also tie into how well, you know, your job. And that's a key aspect of being able to not just keep the information that you have to yourself but to be able to deliver that information to others. That's being accountable to not only your department but to the fire service in general because all situations in the fire, service are Dynamic and we reach in have individual experiences in different ways. And this is a way to continue to have be accountable to the next generation of firefighters.

Accountability and professionalism among firefighters should come from the top down, including senior firefighters and chiefs. This will ensure that all firefighters are accountable to each other and to the fire service as a whole. This will also help to ensure that they are delivering the necessary information in dynamic situations.

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Handling conflicts and challenges within a department and promoting a culture of accountability and professionalism starts from the top, with senior firefighters and chiefs setting the example. Demonstrating professionalism and accountability is essential, as is being knowledgeable and proficient in your job. Sharing information and delivering it effectively to others is a key aspect of accountability, not just within your department but also to the fire service as a whole. Recognizing that situations in the fire service are dynamic and that individual experiences vary, being accountable to the next generation of firefighters is crucial.

What are your goals for your Fire Department, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Firefighters' Unwavering Commitment to Community and Service

So the goals of the fire department they range because you have the administrative goals, then you have the special team goals and then you have station goals and then you have your personal goals. And I think for myself, it's it's showing up each day and doing as much as I can to be a part of the success of the fire service and transferring whatever knowledge. I have to the Next Generation. I know that every single day isn't like that and I'm sure every single Person that's out there. That's been in the career long time. They understand that there's, there's days that you're not at your best, but you're still going out there. Pushing the envelope to get. The goals of the fire department, which are to support your community and provide the best service in the time of need. When other people need you, and I think whether whether you're a volunteer department or a big career department or your wildland firefighter, or you're in the military as a firefighter, The same goal applies is that you're going to do the job to your best ability in that moment? We're all human, but the goals don't change. We get out there and we do something that most people wouldn't want to do.

The goals of the fire department are to provide the best service to their community in times of need. This means showing up each day and doing as much as possible to be a part of the success of the fire service, transferring knowledge to the next generation, and doing the job to the best of one's ability.

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The goals of the fire department can be categorized into administrative goals, special team goals, station goals, and personal goals. Personally, my goal is to contribute to the success of the fire service and pass on my knowledge to the next generation. I understand that not every day will be perfect, but I strive to give my best effort in supporting the community and providing the best service in times of need. Whether it's as a volunteer firefighter, a member of a career department, a wildland firefighter, or a military firefighter, the goal remains the same - to perform the job to the best of our abilities in that moment. We are all human, but our goals remain constant, and we willingly take on tasks that most people wouldn't want to do.

How do you incorporate self care into your personal and professional life, and what impact has it had on your success?

Unlocking Success: Harnessing the Power of Self-Care in Life and Work

Thanks. Self-care is such an important part between having that personal life and professional life and making sure that they don't well impact each other. But at the same point, you can have success in one and a different kind of success in the other. For me it's a constant when it's a struggle, but it's a constant battle or challenge. That I'm going through with getting the right kind of self care for myself. Self. Because life changes situations change. You have to be able to have a good support group, as well as the understanding of what you need in that moment to be successful. And I always say, don't worry about living the life life of success, but live a life of value. And I think that's the biggest thing that I strive for both in my personal and professional life.

Self-care is an important part of balancing personal and professional life. It's a constant challenge to get the right kind of self-care for myself, but I strive for living a life of value rather than success.

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Incorporating self-care into both my personal and professional life is crucial to ensure a healthy balance and prevent them from negatively impacting each other. It's a constant challenge that I face, as life and situations are constantly changing. I prioritize having a strong support group and understanding my own needs in order to be successful.

I believe that it's more important to live a life of value rather than solely focusing on achieving success. Striving for a meaningful and fulfilling life is my ultimate goal, both personally and professionally.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of sharing your knowledge and experiences as an author, coach, speaker and educator?

The Rewarding Impact of Sharing Life's Journey

Is a great question because it's what is the most rewarding aspect of sharing your knowledge and experiences as an author coach speaker educator. And also as a firefighter I think it's it's so powerful to be able to understand that your life experiences in your life, Journey can translate into impacting. Somebody else to find their life journey, and their life impact. Because all the trials and tribulations, that I've went through the struggles. This, the triumphs all of those things were done. Done for a purpose and that, and that inevitable, why that we all look for? And it's so important to be able to have that that driver behind you to be able to push yourself to find that potential because otherwise we go off of what other people think is tangible. What other people think is possible. And a lot of times, it's because of their own limitations that they think that and for me, it's been very rewarding to be able to be that person that may be pushing. Has the envelope so much that somebody else goes. Well, maybe I could do that. They look at me and I'm a normal guy and I go out there and do things because I have a passion to do it and it has impacted my life in many ways that I didn't think it would. And I think it's so powerful to be able to do that in. Your lifetime is give away the knowledge that you've gained through your life's journey.

It is very rewarding to be able to share your knowledge and experiences as an author, coach, speaker, educator, and firefighter by pushing yourself to find potential that other people may not have seen. By doing so, you can help others find their life journey and life impact, and it has been very rewarding for me to do so.

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The most rewarding aspect of sharing my knowledge and experiences as an author, coach, speaker, educator, and firefighter is the ability to impact others in their own life journeys. Through sharing my trials, struggles, and triumphs, I can help others find their purpose and potential. It's empowering to push the boundaries and show others what is possible beyond the limitations imposed by others. Being a relatable figure, someone who is just a normal person pursuing their passions, inspires others to believe in themselves and consider what they can achieve. It's fulfilling to see the impact of sharing knowledge and experiences, knowing that it can positively influence someone's life in ways they may not have expected. Giving away the knowledge gained from my own life's journey is a powerful way to make a difference during my lifetime.

Robert Verhelst answers your First Responders questions. See all the advice Robert Verhelst has and get answers to your own First Responders questions.

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Fireman Rob is known as a dynamic storyteller with an inspirational voice, on the courage to lead your life with a resilient mindset. He helps people become greater assets to themselves and others, with the ability to lead with courage, passion and mental strength. 

Fireman Rob delivers powerful impact to audiences through his stories and catalysts that have been Forged In The Fires of his life. From numerous years in the fire service to surviving on Discovery Channel’s show “Ultimate Ninja Challenge” to performing search & recovery after the September 11th attacks. His message resonates with everyone and has proven results. 

From surviving post-traumatic stress disorder to breaking a Guinness World Record to being a dad, he lives his message and delivers the fire to the audience.

ACCOLADES •  2012 Ironman Performance of the Year •  2012 HITS Triathlon Athlete of the Year •  2014 In Business Magazine “25 Most Influential People in Greater Madison” •  2015 Jefferson Award 