Firefighter Nation

Firefighter Cancer and Workers’ Compensation Programs John K. Murphy surveys the state of presumptive cancer legislation across the United States and its impact on workers' compensation claims.

Most states now have cancer presumption laws. That shifts the burden of proof for workers’ comp.

• Service minimums apply
• Specific cancers are listed
• Filing deadlines matter
• Retirement windows can close fast

Cancer prevention and protection is leadership: https://ow.ly/3lah50Yieh1

Anchor Wake Time: A Circadian Strategy for Fireground Readiness Firefighters may wear sleep deprivation as a badge of honor and demonstration of loyalty to the job, but readiness begins with rest. Brandon Dreiman on how a consistent wake-up time can improve sleep.

Firefighters pride themselves on pushing through fatigue.

But chronic sleep disruption increases heart disease, depression, cancer risk, and line of duty accidents.

https://ow.ly/zfEF50Yhkn7

Misery Loves Company: The 10% and Toxic Culture If we do not combat toxicity within our fire departments, it can overwhelm us. Dr. Candace Ashby has one tactic to stop the spread of cultural dysfunction.

The 10% only win if the 90% stay quiet.

Stop waiting for a new chief to “fix” the department.

Culture is set at the company level. Officers set the tone. Firefighters enforce the standard.

Take the audience away from negativity.

Own your house: https://ow.ly/Q8Yh50YgS9o

Starting over in a new fire department is not easy.

On The C.A.N. Report, Mike Goldstein talks with Sean Duffy of the Ann Arbor Fire Department about humility, reflection, and building a strong fire service culture: https://ow.ly/1VTT50YgQAi

Who Can You Trust? Confidentiality and Fire Service Leadership Trust is essential to high performance in the fire and emergency services, and confidentiality is the cornerstone on which trust is built. Jada Hudson on what that means for leaders.

If first responders cannot trust leadership to protect personal information, they will not ask for help.

Confidentiality is not just about ethics. It shapes morale, culture, and operational effectiveness.
Trust is built in private conversations: https://ow.ly/k4ZW50YfVTa

Strength in the fire service has always meant pushing through. But what if real leadership means speaking up?

Captain Nicholle Brock of ATL Fire Rescue talks about silent suffering, resilience, & why leaders must model vulnerability if we want culture change: https://ow.ly/SLaN50Ye73Q

Supplementation Considerations for Firefighters What role do supplements have to play in keeping firefighters ready for the fireground? Annette Zapp examines nutrition and supplementation for the fire service.

Fuel first. Supplement second. Train hard. Recover harder: https://ow.ly/QlPk50YcKBA

Pre workout supplements aren’t magic. Most rely on caffeine, habit, and marketing.

On Fueling Fire, dietitian Diana Nguyen explains what actually works for firefighters, how to avoid overdosing stimulants, and why carbs and hydration still win.

Full episode here:
https://ow.ly/cC1650YbMji

How Much Insurance I Personally Carry As A Financial Advisor and Firefighter Chris Bauchle outlines the big three risks most people can’t afford to ignore and his approach to insurance a firefighter and financial planner.

Firefighters think about risk every day. Financial risk deserves that same attention. I shared the exact insurance I carry and how it protects my family.
Read the full article: https://ow.ly/VeC550YaWb7

🚒 Leadership isn’t just for chiefs. It’s for the firefighters showing up, learning, and leading by example.
John Velez & Preston Lyons talk imposter syndrome, mentorship, and building influence without chasing the spotlight.

Gossip kills morale. Jealousy kills trust. And stones thrown from inside the house hit harder than we think.

Firemanship is not just how you stretch a line or force a door. It’s how you treat the people next to you.

Lift each other up or get out of the way.

https://ow.ly/8Xlh50Y9nJ1

Can Diet Reduce Firefighter Cancer Risk? A shift toward an eating pattern known as the Mediterranean diet may help firefighters mitigate some of their cancer risks, Ben Jones writes.

Firefighters: cancer risk isn’t just “out there.” What you eat can help protect you from the inside. 🍅🥦
Mediterranean-style meals = more veggies, beans, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats.
Swap smart at firehouse meals. Every bite counts: https://ow.ly/Lca550Y8YlT

Who's Next? Developing a Fire Officer Mentor Program Never assume that members just know what they are supposed to do—especially when it comes to fire service leadership. Ryan Dullea on how mentoring can identify and fill in the gaps.

Riding the back seat one day, making life-or-death calls the next. Promotion is a jump, and mentorship can be the bridge. Discover how fire departments are preparing officers for success: https://ow.ly/eET350Y8qPT

The Unseen Threat: Understanding Cancer Risks in Firefighting How much do you really know about the cancer epidemic among firefighters? Frank Vumbaca has an overview and some preventative measures you can take.

Cancer has emerged as one of the most serious long term health threats in the fire service.

In 2023, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) listed 72% of line-of-duty deaths as cancer related.

https://ow.ly/ToFW50Y7QU9

The New Senior Man The "senior men" of yesteryear were imposing fire service figures. So how do fire departments replace that instiutional knowledge with members who having significantly less experience?

Every firehouse had a senior man.

In a lot of departments, that person is gone or about to be.

So who’s next?

It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about developing experience earlier, on purpose, before it walks out the door: https://ow.ly/TaKR50Y4PZI

Fire Department Culture: Do You Jump Ship or Man the Pumps? When a fire department culture turns toxic, it may be tempting to simply leave. But that may not be the best option, writes Wayne Jones.

Fire Department Culture: Do You Jump Ship or Man the Pumps? - https://ow.ly/3OFE50Y3Z6V

Ships do not patch their own hulls.
Fire departments do not fix themselves.

Culture requires constant attention, at every rank, on every shift.

The water is rising.
What are you doing about it?

NE Bills Would Protect Confidentiality in Firefighter Peer Support Programs Nebraska lawmakers are considering bills to protect peer support counseling for first responders, addressing high rates of burnout and mental health issues in the profession.

https://ow.ly/zrUN50Y3RFR

The Weight We Choose to Share: A Perspective from the Back Seat Followership is just as crucial as leadership in the fire service. When firefighters choose to follow well, they lift their entire firehouse.

Hot take for the fire service:
Followership matters just as much as leadership.

Trust isn’t silence. Accountability isn’t optional. And small decisions still add weight to your officer’s shoulders.

Share the load. Strengthen the crew:
https://ow.ly/Iklr50Y1REl

Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle explores what makes firefighting more than a profession. Beyond risks, it’s the relationships, rituals, and intentional connection that build resilience and a positive mental health culture. Listen here: https://ow.ly/VcFH50Y0IUC

Heed the Warning Signals: A Firefighter Mental Health Check-In Firefighters tend to be responsive when it comes to taking care of our rigs and equipment. So why aren't we addressing our personal "check engine" lights regarding mental health? 

Why do we rush a rig in for service but ignore our own warning lights? Firefighter mental health matters. Recognize your signals and get help early. Full read: https://ow.ly/aSxe50XZchp

Adopting Business Practices for the Fire Service Without Sacrificing the ‘Why’ The fire service is not a business, but the fire department is often asked to operate like one. Christopher Piece on the practices that fire leaders can employ without undermining the mission.

The fire service isn’t a business, but we’re asked to act like one. Operating efficiently isn’t the same as operating effectively. Our mission demands the right resources, not the minimum. Read why and how we can adopt business practices without losing our purpose.
👉 https://ow.ly/VXWL50XY0Ff

Raising the Standard: Fire Service Leaders Need More than Experience Experience is invaluable in the fire service, but it should not be at odds with formal learning that establishes a baseline for your department. Alex Zielinski on building leaders.

We would never let someone perform technical fireground tasks without training.

So why do we still tolerate untrained leadership?

Experience matters.
Standards matter too.

Leadership lives in the balance.
https://ow.ly/cWZq50XX0iV

Denying Development: Promoting Out of the ‘Senior Man’ Role Some firefighters may want to stay in the "senior man" role. While such members are undoubtedly needed, make sure you're doing so for the right reasons.

The senior man seat is hard to leave for a reason.

It builds crews, trust, and confidence. Promoting out of it too early can slow development for everyone else.

This piece gets honest about timing, ego, and knowing when it is really time to move on: https://ow.ly/2kEE50XVLOF

From the Firehouse to HQ: A Perspective on Leadership Chief officers miss the hands-on elements of the job, but Shane Bridges offers some practical methods for staying connected with members in the field.

Being a chief isn’t about sitting behind a desk. It’s about showing up—riding along, training with your crews, sharing the day-to-day. Earn respect by actually caring for your people, letting them do their work, and watching them grow: https://ow.ly/G4MG50XSCFq

In this clip, Brent Thorne talks honestly about how identifying only as “a firefighter” nearly cost him the relationships that mattered most. It’s a reminder that the job is important, but being present at home matters just as much:
https://ow.ly/7mf850XRZi1

Conscious vs. Subconscious Perspective Your mind is always hungry. What you feed it today impacts tomorrow. Small, intentional habits can protect mental health.

We protect our bodies with gear. Our minds deserve protection too. How are you taking care of what you carry from the job?
Read more here: https://ow.ly/Ysah50XRjqr

Happy New Year! Cheers to a safe and healthy 2026.

Culture Check: Is Your Fire Department Okay? An organization gets the behavior it rewards. Chase Sargent on how fire service leaders can consciously mold a fire department's culture.

Culture isn’t about slogans or posters on the wall. It shows up in how we take risks, follow policy, treat each other, and serve the public.

If unsafe or toxic behavior is tolerated, that becomes the standard: https://ow.ly/xIlF50XNPWa

Occupational disease in the fire service is not bad luck.
It is exposure, repeated over years.

In this clip, Tonya Herbert talks about what lives in our gear, why PFAS matters, and how decon fits into long term health.

Full episode here:
https://ow.ly/A8t250XNPjP

No Dignity, No Doubt When firefighters retire due to disability, they may be ostracized and feel alienated from the department. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Retiring due to injury shouldn’t make you feel like you failed. Too many of us walk away alone, judged for circumstances beyond our control.

It’s time we change how we support firefighters forced into disability retirement and honor their service: https://ow.ly/r0Ja50XNPeS