The Professional Brotherhood™

In this episode Brian and John discuss the senior men, the rookies and the group that's caught somewhere in the middle. Along with other challenges being faced in a small town Ohio fire department. This episode was in response to the following email from a loyal listener:

In listening to the podcasts I have a question that I have been asking myself over and over, and I wanted to see if I could get some thoughts on this. There are two main groups of firefighters that seem to get focus nowadays, the "senior man" and the "rookie". And rightfully so. I see them as having an equal importance to the fire service. However there is a lost group in there that gets pulled in both directions that can feel lost. That's the group I'm in. The "middle guys". I am 37 years old and have been on the department now for 21 years (started at 16 as a junior). I grew up idolizing and learning from the go-get-em smoke eaters that was 100% aggressive 100% of the time and that felt certain requirements didn't need to be followed because we were just a small town volunteer department. And, respectfully, they are still the chief officers today. The majority of our firefighters however are in the 20-25 year old range and is accepting and wanting of a more structured, safety minded approach that is still aggressive but only when necessary. That is what I want to give them. As the middle guy, and I am sure that you have been there, I am trying to stay the course of setting the example for the future of the department and do the right thing. However, those that made me who I am today are feeling disrespected and feel that I am wrong for trying to change things. I know the obvious answer is to do what is right for the people who are expecting me to take care of them. And although I usually am the one to take an order without question, I cannot rightfully pull back from this like the people above me would like. Our chief officers are appointed every year by the township trustees, and they have remained the same for over 20 years. If I would express concern to the trustees, it would most likely result in me not being able to be around to look after the younger generation to make sure that they don't become complacent and follow the path of my elders. I would never give the burden of asking for advice on the politics of our situation, but I would like to know how others have navigated these waters. What has worked, what has failed, and if being the middle guy trying to fix this makes it better or worse for the "rookies".
About our host:
Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. Brian is currently Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department (100% Volunteer / Sullivan County, NY) and a Past Chief of the Monticello Fire Department (Combination / Sullivan County, NY). Brian is a Nationally Certified Level II Fire Instructor as well a Nationally Certified Fire Officer. He has been instructing firefighters of all levels for the past 17 years. Brian is also a long time NYS Emergency Medical Technician as well as an Advanced Swift Water Technician. Brian's passion lies in the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service.

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• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email [email protected].

We are proud to be affiliated with the Chief Miller family of podcasts. Chief Miller is dedicated to the men and women of the fire service. Follow the Chief on IG at:

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Great people doing great things and making the fire service a better place!

Who's responsible for helping to ensure a firefighters success? Is it on the leadership to follow up and make sure that he/she/they have all the tools necessary and follow up regularly, or is it on the firefighter to chase down the leadership to ensure they own success?
Join Brian, Kara and guests deputy chief Heath Pannell and Lt. Cecil Hunter as we discuss this, as well as mentorship, leadership and the retention of members.
About our guests:
Joining Dry Creek Vol. Fire Department in northeast Mississippi in 1999, Heath Pannell has literally spent nearly half his life at his hometown station. Starting as a cadet (RAM) and working his way up through the ranks, Chief Pannell has worked hard to provide the community with specialty-trained personnel and state of the art equipment. Heath is a field instructor for the MS Fire Academy, ICS Trained Commander, MS FireFighter II, as well as many other certifications and areas of study. Chief Pannell visits fire departments in the region teaching “station-building” seminars, as well as instructing new entry-level firefighters. He currently serves Dry Creek Fire & Rescue as Deputy Chief, and will mark 22 years this month. Heath hosts “Meeting Night Podcast,” a show geared towards firefighters and departments in rural areas. Heath is married to a firefighter/nurse, Lt. Amanda Pannell, and they have three children. The family resides on a 90 acre farm in Northern Mississippi.
Cecil Hunter has been a volunteer firefighter since 2010. He currently serves as a lieutenant with the Liberty Fire Department in Sullivan County, NY.
About our hosts:
Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.
Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.
He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a six year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.
Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is the Data and Burn Prevention Outreach Coordinator.
On social @st.florianfitness

On today's episode Brian is joined by Chief David Brierty of the Ridgefield, NJ Fire Department and Jillian Crane, Board President of the First Responders Children's Foundation.
The First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances. First Responders Children’s Foundation also supports, promotes, and facilitates educational activities and programs created and operated by first responder organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community at large.
https://1strcf.org/
Instagram: @1strcf
About our Co-Host:
David Brierty has been a firefighter and EMT for 17 plus years. David currently serves as battalion chief of the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire department after finishing a term as the chief of department in 2020. He has served in multiple line officer positions for the last 9 years.
David also serves on the Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department and is currently a probationary firefighter. As a career, David is a six year first responder for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, currently serving at the Lincoln Tunnel as a Tunnel and Bridge Agent. Tunnel and Bridge agents respond to a variety of emergencies including vehicle fires, extrications, medical emergencies and disabled vehicles. Before he began his career with “The Port”, he worked for various EMS agencies throughout New Jersey including Jersey City Medical Center EMS, Holy Name EMS and Fort Lee EMS.
About our host:
Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.
Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.
He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email [email protected].

What type of firefighter / leader do you want to be? When it's all over, how do you want to be remembered? Let's end 2024 with an bang and set some personal goals for 2025.
Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.
Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.
He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.
Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.
On social @st.florianfitness

Jim Moss is the author of "Firefighter Success, the 20 C’S to Firefighter Excellence". Firefighter Success is the blueprint for firefighters and fire officers who want to achieve excellence in all areas of their lives. Its 20 core principles provide every firefighter with a complete road map to a rewarding journey in the fire service.

Jim is a fire captain and paramedic for the Metro West Fire Protection District in St. Louis County, Missouri. His fire service passions include leadership, training, and mentorship. Along with Chief Dan Kerrigan, Jim is the co-author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller: Firefighter Functional Fitness.

Jim is a contributor to Fire Engineering Magazine and FirefighterToolbox.com. He has shared his message at FDIC International, Firehouse, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, the National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and with fire departments nationwide.

About our hosts:
Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.
Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.
He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to [email protected].
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email [email protected].

Kara Judd, is a six year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.
Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is the Data and Burn Prevention Outreach Coordinator.
On social @st.florianfitness