Table of Contents
- Engage Your Team to Build Trust
- Streamline Communication in Jump Operations
- Focus on Hands-On Training
- Set Up Decontamination Training
- Boost Your Search Culture Training
- Initiate a Control Pause
- Refine Pump and Roll Training
- Launch a Peer Fitness Trainer Program
- Clarify Roles and Responsibilities
- Start a Peer Support Program
1. Engage Your Team to Build Trust
From: National Fire Radio Podcast Platform - "RE RUN Chapter 25."
Listen at: 22:00 – 23:10
Difficulty: Low
Application Area: Collaboration & Communication
Who is this for?: Investigator
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
When things go off-script at the fireground, trust makes all the difference. Jeremy, the host, points out that leaders who really take the time to know their team give people the confidence to make smart decisions under pressure.
What to do?
Have monthly coffee-table chats where everyone shares a bit about their background and recent challenges. Wrap it up with a quick 5-minute round where each person shares something they learned.
Success Indicator:
You’ll know it’s working when incident surveys show higher trust scores and decisions on scene get made faster.
2. Streamline Communication in Jump Operations
From: The Hotshot Wake Up - "Historic Wildfire Costs…"
Listen at: 00:53:50 – 01:00:09
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Collaboration & Communication
Who is this for?: Multi-Agency Team
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
A small missed warning during a jump almost turned disastrous. That’s why clear, closed-loop communication is a must.
What to do?
Use a standardized “JUMP-CHECK” card that goes over Conditions, Hazards, the Emergency Plan, and Cross-checks. Make sure someone reads it out loud before every deployment.
Success Indicator:
If every JUMP-CHECK is logged and there are no communication-related mishaps throughout the season, you’re on track.
3. Focus on Hands-On Training
From: National Fire Radio Podcast Platform - "RE RUN Chapter 25."
Listen at: 11:00 – 12:12
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Training & Education
Who is this for?: Forensic Specialist
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
It’s time to stop stressing over those unlikely “what ifs” and drill on the 90% of calls you actually face.
What to do?
Take a look at last year’s incident log, sort out the top five types of calls, and design quarterly drills that really mirror these conditions.
Success Indicator:
If tasks during live burns start wrapping up 20% faster, you know you’ve got a winning approach.
4. Set Up Decontamination Training
From: Fire Rescue Wellness - "Seattle Fire Part II"
Listen at: 00:07:27 – 00:09:14
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Training & Education
Who is this for?: Investigator
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
A set of eight quick videos showing helmet-to-boot decontamination can really help protect both health and evidence integrity.
What to do?
Create your own short 3-minute “Post-Invest Decon” video and post it on your intranet. Also, hand out a laminated checklist for every rig to keep everyone on the same page.
Success Indicator:
Aim for at least 90% compliance on spot audits and lower contaminant swab readings on gear.
5. Boost Your Search Culture Training
From: The C.A.N. Report - "Episode 75"
Listen at: 01:01:12 – 01:01:50
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Scene Investigation
Who is this for?: Investigator
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
Making sure every structure gets a thorough search is crucial, this mindset can literally save lives.
What to do?
Make it a habit to integrate a search station in your monthly burn-cell rotations. Even if no mannequins are around, run full sweeps every time.
Success Indicator:
Look for a 100% checklist completion rate and fewer instances where evidence or victims are missed during actual incidents.
6. Initiate a Control Pause
From: Transition Drill - "Control Your First Reaction"
Listen at: 00:09:05 – 00:10:33
Difficulty: Low
Application Area: Process Improvement
Who is this for?: Investigator
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
Taking just a one-second pause can dramatically reduce mistakes.
What to do?
Kick off every briefing with a session of guided “box breathing.” In both routine and simulation settings, repeat until that pause becomes second nature.
Success Indicator:
You should see about a 30% reduction in verbal slip-ups during tabletop exercises.
7. Refine Pump and Roll Training
From: The Hotshot Wake Up - "Historic Wildfire Costs…"
Listen at: 00:30:26 – 00:31:45
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Training & Education
Who is this for?: Investigator
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
Injuries during pump-and-roll operations show just how important it is to cover every detail in cab-based training.
What to do?
Include a cab simulator module in your ENOB courses that zeroes in on hose management and vehicle handling.
Success Indicator:
The goal is to see zero pump-and-roll injuries in the next wildfire season.
8. Launch a Peer Fitness Trainer Program
From: Fire Rescue Wellness - "Seattle Fire Part II"
Listen at: 00:24:53 – 00:26:07
Difficulty: High
Application Area: Training & Education
Who is this for?: Multi-Agency Team
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
Keeping crews physically fit is essential for staying mission-ready.
What to do?
Pick two investigators to earn their NSCA Tactical Strength & Conditioning certifications. Then, have them visit your station every quarter to offer guidance.
Success Indicator:
Look for a 10% improvement in departmental fitness scores within a year.
9. Clarify Roles and Responsibilities
From: National Fire Radio Podcast Platform - "RE RUN Chapter 25."
Listen at: 06:10 – 07:03
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Process Improvement
Who is this for?: Case Manager/Supervisor
Operational Impact Score: 9/10
When everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for, micromanagement drops and autonomy rises.
What to do?
Create a simple one-page "Role Matrix" that spells out who owns what task for every rank. Review it together during shift changes for the next month.
Success Indicator:
Fewer reports of duplicate work and smoother transitions during hand-offs will show you’re on the right track.
10. Start a Peer Support Program
From: The C.A.N. Report - "Episode 75"
Listen at: 01:04:51 – 01:05:19
Difficulty: Medium
Application Area: Collaboration & Communication
Who is this for?: Administrative Staff
Operational Impact Score: 8/10
NextRung’s text-based peer line really shows that easy access to support can encourage people to reach out when they need help.
What to do?
Team up with a licensed counselor to train four peer supporters, then roll out a confidential SMS line and promote it with posters around your station.
Success Indicator:
Keep tabs on the number of monthly contacts and aim for an anonymous satisfaction rating of at least 4 out of 5.
Apply These Insights to Your Fire Investigations
Whether it’s boosting trust among your team or fine-tuning decontamination processes, these ten ideas drawn from podcasts can strengthen every aspect of your operations. Pick one simple tip, like the Control Pause, to test out this week. Track your progress with the success indicators, and soon you’ll notice how small improvements add up to major gains in performance.
