By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer In the past, many folks have asked me “What’s your purpose for getting on LinkedIn?” That’s still the right question—but the answers have evolved. Today, LinkedIn isn’t just a place to find a job or build a contact list. It’s a platform for: Shaping professional narratives Building coalitions across disciplines Amplifying advocacy and thought ...
Read More »Networking in the Digital Age: Rethinking the Action Plan for 2025
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer Networking is still the lifeblood of professional growth—but the circulatory system has evolved. It’s no longer just about collecting contacts or broadcasting updates. Today, networking is about building trust, curating relevance, and showing up consistently in the spaces where your voice matters. Here’s a refreshed action plan that goes beyond the basics. 🧭 Step ...
Read More »Digital Networking in 2025: More Than Just a Profile
By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer What does “digital networking” really mean today? I won’t pretend I’m a guru (though I did once survive a conference hotel breakfast buffet). What I do know, I’ve learned the same way I’ve gained most of my professional insight: reading, listening, trying, failing, and trying again. Repeat. Here’s what I’ve picked up—so you can ...
Read More »After the Call: It’s Not Business as Usual
By: Margaret Gavian, Ph. D, Guest Blogger Original graphic by Robert Avsec created using Microsoft Copilot AI (I’m working and learning how to use AI responsibly!). Lately, I’ve been notified of an onslaught of critical calls happening across the departments I serve – multiple suicides, drownings, burn victims, violent scenes, brutal accidents. You name it, it’s happening. These aren’t rookie ...
Read More »Breaking News: We are still getting it wrong in so many Departments
By: William Hux, Chief Fire Marshal, Va. State Fire Marshals Office, Va. Fire Marshal Academy Note From Chief Avsec: Another great post from my Guest Blogger, William Hux! Buckle up ’cause it’s gonna be a heck of ride! The author at FDIC 2025 in Indianapolis. Don’t pretend control is the same thing as leadership, it’s not. In the fire service, ...
Read More »Extreme Heat and the “Terrible Twins”: What Fire Service Leaders Should Know
Training and drilling are opportunities to “sharpen the saw”, that is, work on the full range of firefighting and rescue skills necessary to do the job and make sure that everyone is still doing them safely and correctly. It's important to do that training in all weather conditions, yet it's equally important to do so safely, effectively and efficiently, especially during hot weather training.
Read More »Who will be the FSPA Fire Service Leader of the Year for 2025?
Do you know of a fire service leader–They can be of any rank– who’s working in their fire department or region to promote mental and behavioral health services for firefighters and EMS personnel? The Fire Service Leader of the Year Award presented annually at the FSPA’s Annual Conference If so, wouldn’t their name look good on this year’s award from ...
Read More »What does “being on the cutting-edge” mean when discussing mental and behavioral health issues for first responders?
Sponsored Content by the First Responder Behavioral Health Institute By: Robert Avsec, Battalion Chief (Ret.), Executive Fire Officer The phrase “cutting edge” comes from the literal idea of a blade’s sharp edge—something at the forefront of action, able to cut through resistance. Its earliest figurative uses date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the phrase was ...
Read More »Men in the fire service: It’s time to step up!
By: William Hux, Chief Fire Marshal, Va. State Fire Marshals Office, Va. Fire Marshal Academy Now that FDIC 2025 has ended and 37,000 fire service members have moved out of Indy, it’s time to share some thoughts (yes as always – it’s my normally long thoughts, sorry).The week was full of friends I haven’t seen in a year, classes with ...
Read More »America’s Fire Service is not a Family – Opinion
Editor’s Note: The following from my fire service colleague, John Murphy, was originally published on LinkedIn and is presented here with his permission. By: John K. Murphy, Esq., Veteran, PA-C, Chaos Manager and Attorney The American fire service is frequently described using familial language. Firefighters call one another “brothers” and “sisters,” departments are referred to as “families,” and leaders often ...
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