Chief Jacob Johnson is joined by Fire Chief Les Stephens, of the San Marcos, TX, Fire Department, on the new episode of Beyond the Bugles. Understanding that leadership goes further than the title in the fire service, the two discuss integrity, accountability and love of the job.

Peter Matthews is joined by Saratoga Springs, NY, firefighter Tyler Whittredge to talk about firefighters’ finding their identities in the station, accountability and what makes a good firefighter.

Whittredge explains what he’s observed when it comes to members find their personality in a job full of Type-A personalities and how members can build each other through their strengths. Part of the process, Whittredge says, is by crews holding each other accountable on and off the fireground.

Whittredge talks about his time as a bunk-in firefighters near Syracuse, NY, and what led him to write the article, “What Makes a Good Firefighter?” which was published on Firehouse.com earlier this month. Focusing on that article, Whittredge explains what the “it” is that makes a firefighter a solid member of the crew, plus a discussion on personality vs. mentality.

Related links:

• Tyler Whittredge Firehouse.com bio and contributor page
• What Makes a Good Firefighter?

Station Design Conference Director Janet Wilmoth and architects Mike Scott and Patrick Stone discuss this year’s conference, which takes place in May in Reno, NV. Peter Matthews digs into their sessions, asks what’s new at the public safety facility design conference and what they suggest attendees do to get the most out of the conference.

Janet Wilmoth offers highlights from around the conference, including new topics and trends that a variety of speakers will cover, along with the need for collaboration with other public safety agencies for training and operations facilities. Patrick Stone from H2M architects + engineers, who is also a firefighter, previews his sessions on next-generation public safety facilities and how that will impact buildings in the future, plus a look at why designing a station requires a lot of questions to be asked, like the design of a new fire apparatus. Mike Scott, with RRM Design, talks about critical need for programming, which is the first step of laying out needs and plans for a fire station.

Both architects, who are veterans of the Station Design Conference, explain how the event fosters a collaborative effort between architects, service providers, builders and attendees to build the facility properly the first time and how attendees can return home ready to start the process.

Related links:

• Station Design Conference
• Janet Wilmoth’s Firehouse Contributor Page
• Mike Scott’s Firehouse Contributor Page
• Patrick O. Stone’s Firehouse Contributor Page
• Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award