Best David Polikoff Podcasts (2025)

1
Shut up and let your officers make a decision 9:37

Play Pause

7d ago9:37

9:37

Summary In this episode, I break down the brutal truth about decision-making on the fireground. When seconds count, we don’t need chiefs calling shots while still responding—we need officers who are empowered to make the call. I dive into why real leadership means trusting your people, not babysitting them. We talk about building a culture where mi…

1
Train for everything; High Frequency and Low Frequency incidents 12:16

20d ago12:16

12:16

I discuss the critical importance of training in the fire service, emphasizing the need to balance training for high-frequency and low-frequency calls. I highlight the public's expectations regarding rapid response and ethical conduct, and stress the importance of accountability and transparency in firefighting operations.…

1
Accountability, the dirty word. You Ain't Hijacking June! 10:23

1M ago10:23

10:23

I discuss the importance of accountability for all people, particularly within the fire department. I emphasize the need for discipline and adherence to policies, explaining how these elements contribute to a healthy work environment. Additionally, I highlight June as Men's Mental Health Month, urging listeners to support one another and seek help …

1
Lead by example, don't be lazy. Politicians Suck! 10:36

3M ago10:36

10:36

In this episode, I discuss the essential qualities of effective leadership, particularly in the context of the fire service. I emphasize the importance of leading by example, setting clear expectations, and maintaining core values such as approachability and accountability. The conversation also touches on local political issues in Maryland, highli…

1
Are there any adults in the room 10:50

5M ago10:50

10:50

In this episode, I discuss the importance of respectful disagreement in leadership and organizational culture. I emphasize that it's essential to voice disagreements with facts rather than feelings and propose solutions. I also critique the current political climate, calling for politicians to act as responsible leaders and find common ground rathe…

1
If you can do the job, you will have a seat at the kitchen table. 8:39

5M ago8:39

8:39

In this episode, I discuss the ongoing challenges faced by the fire service, particularly regarding budget cuts and the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Iemphasize the importance of adequate funding for the fire service to ensure public safety and the need for a focus on performance over identity politics. I argue that …

1
Bullying and Weakness 12:12

7M ago12:12

12:12

Summary In this episode, I discuss the issues of bullying within the fire service, particularly from upper management. I emphasize the importance of respectful confrontation and documentation when dealing with bullies. Additionally, I address the rising trend of EMS units calling for manpower assistance, urging personnel to maintain physical fitnes…

1
Share what you learn including your mistakes 18:01

7M ago18:01

18:01

In this conversation, I shares valuable insights from my experience in the fire service, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing, maintaining composure in crisis situations, and learning from mistakes. Through personal anecdotes, I illustrates how effective leadership and mentorship can significantly impact emergency response outcomes. I en…

1
Stop bashing your people 11:43

8M ago11:43

11:43

1. Be your departments best ally not it’s worst enemy. To many people are quick to bash their fellow volunteers. The fact is we need to accept all and make sure all members have what they need, like training and confidence. Experienced members need to take the new people under their wing and help to make them better. It is so easy to point and bash…

1
Make your new members feel welcome or you will lose them 11:08

8M ago11:08

11:08

Volunteer fire department membership is dwindling. The decline has been steady for years. Are you doing all you can to recruit and retain new members? When you get new members are you making them feel welcome or are you ignoring them to the point they leave? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Volunteer organizations must go out of their way to m…

1
Stop Micromanaging 12:20

8M ago12:20

12:20

Excessive talking on the radio. Bosses constantly questing your every move. Officers not being consistent. Chiefs trying to run a fireground when they are not on the scene. This are just a peek into the world of micromanaging. So why do some bosses do this? It is a trust issue between the chief and the firefighters. They don't have faith in their o…

1
Morale, is it good or bad? 11:52

8M ago11:52

11:52

How is morale in your department? Do you even know? if your the boss it is you job to know what is going on in the department. Be a good communicator, let the people know whats going on. Be transparent and never lie. Great morale breeds great fire service delivery.By David Polikoff

1
How do we learn? Time to change. 13:44

8M ago13:44

13:44

Have you ever said to yourself "this meeting could have been in an email." How do we learn? I believe the fire department is behind the times. Are you still required to get in your car and drive to your academy to sit in a classroom while the instructor reads PowerPoint slides? COVID taught us we can learn virtually, so why aren’t we doing this in …

1
Did you know you may not know what you think know? 11:11

8M ago11:11

11:11

Do you know people who think they know more than they do? We all know people like this. In public safety these people can be dangerous to the employees, the public and the organization. There is a term called the Dunning Kruger effect. This effect is people who have limited competence in a particular domain and overestimate their abilities. This me…

1
The best training will keep you from sucking 10:13

8M ago10:13

10:13

Training is key to being your best. Unfortunately training academies have moved away from class A burn buildings and towards propane fueled fires with fake smoke. We are not preparing the new firefighters for real fires. Burn rooms are just empty rooms with no obstacles to contend with. The fires are always in the same place every time. Acquired st…

1
Why do the dumbest people represent us? 14:01

8M ago14:01

14:01

Health care workers in Maryland are not protected from assault like first responders. The blame for this lack of protection rests squarely on the shoulders of the elected politicians. It is no secret that some of the dumbest people represent us on the state and federal level. The citizens deserve so much better. Use your vote wisely and don't just …

1
The chain of suck. If your people suck, it's your fault. 13:26

8M ago13:26

13:26

In the fire service when the firefighters are not performing it is the Lieutenants and Captains fault. If the line officers suck it is the fault of the Battalion Chiefs fault and the fault continues up to the chief. The same is true for the civilian world. This is called the chain of suck. Hold your people accountable set the example and provide ex…

1
Why you mad bro 11:42

8M ago11:42

11:42

Do you know people who just seem mad at everything on the job. Nothing is ever good. The get fixated on thing that can't be changed overnight. They are constantly bitching about thing they can't control, to the point that it affects their job. These people can tear a shift apart. Challenge these people get them to explain why they are so angry all …

1
Why do the turds stay and the good people leave? 9:41

8M ago9:41

9:41

Do you work with employees who suck? We all do. How come they keep their jobs and the good employees leave because they are fed up. If your a manager or work in HR, pay attention to whats going on. Morale is in the toilet and you can't be bothered to fix the problems. You lose enough good people and you could be next. Stop Sucking do your job!…

1
Take your position seriously 11:49

8M ago11:49

11:49

As a firefighter and/or an officer. you need to take you position seriously. This means on the fire ground. If you are the Rapid Intervention Company you take that task seriously. Full PPE SCBA and tools. If you are in the station make sure the apparatus is checked and clean. All your tools need to be clean and ready to go. The station must be clea…

1
Take care of your people, and maybe they will stay 11:55

8M ago11:55

11:55

You say you take care of your people, but your people know it is Bull $h!T. if you did take care of them they would not be leaving and or trash talking you and the company. Take the time to appreciate the people who work hard and care about the job. Take time out of your day to meet the people face to face and tell them thanks for the work they do.…

1
Is the Healthcare Industry Burning Down? 12:13

8M ago12:13

12:13

So, a little off script this with this episode. I want to talk about the troubles I am hearing in the Healthcare field. Bad employees, no discipline for bad behavior, crappy managers, blind administrators, and arrogant Board members. It is no secret that the waiting times in the ER to be seen or for an ambulance to off load patients is astronomical…

1
You're The Rookie, The Boot, The Probie, the FNG. What now? 14:24

8M ago14:24

14:24

You graduated the academy and you got your station assignment. You are ready to embark on the best job in the world. So what can you do to be a productive part of your new shift? In this epsode I will lay out what you the rookie can do to be productive. I offer advice to the senior shift members to help turn out the best rookies.…

1
It cost money to run a fire service 12:09

8M ago12:09

12:09

It cost money to run the fire service. Things are expensive in the fire and rescue world. Fire apparatus is no longer 100's of thousands of dollars but a million plus. Our equipment and tools are expensive, a set of turnout gear is $5500, and our training continues to cost more and more, because we are asked to do more and more. When a citizen call…

1
I am an Optimist 12:03

8M ago12:03

12:03

I am an optimist. I do my best to see the good. People don't just show up to work and think "how can I be a POS today?" I believe people want to be good at their job and be an asset to the shift, but when Officers or senior firefighters don't correct bad behaviors, people fall into a routine of sucking. If you’re an officer and you have underperfor…

1
Customer Service and Toxic Men BS 12:19

8M ago12:19

12:19

I don't buy into the "customer service" model of the fire service. It is BS. We are not selling goods. The citizens are not our customers. We are not salesmen. Our job is to be the best at mitigating emergencies. That means we train; we show up when the call comes in and we protect lives. Just because you don't agree with men does not make us toxic…

1
Career, volunteers and political hacks 14:19

8M ago14:19

14:19

In combination systems, career and volunteers work together to provide excellent service to the citizens. That’s the way it is supposed to work. unfortunately, it does not always work that way. There are organizations that fight against each other. Career personnel want to get rid of the volunteers and volunteers refusing to work with the career. I…

1
Stop Bitching and Start Fixing 10:38

8M ago10:38

10:38

Be loyal to your organization. Show some respect where you work. Stop trashing your department. Too many times we hear people who bash the system, trash talk how things run. These people may have legitimate complaints but fall on deaf ears because they never have solutions. There are those who just bitch to bitch, these people are never happy no ma…