A project isn't finished when the work is done — it's finished when it's closed out.

In the fire service, we know an incident doesn't end just because the flames are knocked down. We overhaul. We check for extension. We secure utilities. We give a final report. Only then does command terminate.

Projects work the same way — yet closeout remains one of the most neglected phases of the project lifecycle in fire-EMS organizations.

In this episode of Project Command: Flash Points, Lieutenant Duke Cuneo breaks down why project closeout is not paperwork, but a tactical necessity. From confirming objectives and documenting lessons learned, to effective handoff, leadership briefings, and celebrating the win, this Flash Point draws clear parallels between incident termination and disciplined project leadership.

This episode challenges officers and project leaders to stop treating closeout as an afterthought and start using it as a tool for accountability, learning, and organizational momentum. Because projects that aren't properly closed don't disappear — they become loose ends that blindside the next shift, the next manager, or the next administration.

Close your projects with the same clarity, discipline, and purpose you bring to the fireground — and leave the next crew better prepared than the last.

In this episode of Project Command, I'm joined by Kevin Henson, Deputy Chief of Staff for the John Fire District, for a wide-ranging conversation on technology, leadership, and execution in the fire service. We break down key takeaways from the IAFC Technology Summit 2025, discuss how emerging technology and AI can be used as a practical force multiplier, and explore the strong parallels between project management and the Incident Command System. Kevin also shares hard-earned lessons from projects he's led, including what worked, what didn't, and how fire service leaders can better translate strategy into results.

Welcome to Project Command: Flash Points- quick, sharp hits that turn big project management concepts into everyday tools for the fire service.

Today's Flash Point: How a classic fireground rule can reshape the way we run projects.