Day Watch

Prepare for an exciting new podcast episode featuring the editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering, Retired City of Atlanta, Georgia Battalion Chief David Rhodes. We're diving into the upcoming Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in downtown Indianapolis from April 7 to April 12. This is a must-listen for public safety professionals looking to explore the latest opportunities and hear about the tried-and-true specialties that keep attendees returning year after year. Join us as we discuss what's in store for this incredible event and how it can benefit your career in the fire service. Don't miss out on this chance to stay informed and inspired!www.waynefire.org

FDIC is back in town, and Indianapolis is excited to welcome over 30,000 public safety members from the US and worldwide. David Rhodes, the editor and chief of Fire Engineering Magazine, joins us again this year to discuss the 2024 conference and the exciting new events and educational opportunities. www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch podcast, I sit down with the Division Chief of training, Russell Shoaf. Chief Shoaf has been in the fire service, both volunteer and career, since the 1970s and possesses decades of experience in technical rescue operations and fire department leadership and development. Chief Shoaf comes to us from serving as the training and operations chief at Westfield Fire Department after retiring from Pike Township Fire Department on the west side of Indianapolis.www.waynefire.org

In today's episode, I talk about the old days of the Wayne Township Fire Department with Captain Bob Crouch. Bob was born and raised in the Wayne Township area and has family roots that go back to the beginning of the fire department. Bob is one of the few members who has experienced firsthand the growing pains of this storied fire department, from the original station consolidations in the 1980s right through the transition to the fully staffed, career fire department of 2023.www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch Podcast, Part Two of our series with Dr. Keeley Stewart, "The Barriers to Firefighter Mental Health." I talk with Keeley about her immersion study and her discovery of how trust plays a significant role in the first responder's barrier in seeking professional mental health counseling.www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch Podcast, I sit and talk with Doctor Keeley Stewart, Ph.D. Keeley conducted an immersion study about firefighter mental health at WTFD and defended her Ph.D. based on her research on career firefighters in our busy urban environment.  www.waynefire.org

On today's episode of the Day Watch Podcast, I once again sit down with Wayne Township Fire Department Battalion Chief of Emergency Management Troy Wymer. We talk about our recently updated traffic preemption system, discuss active shooter training and how our rescue task force program is shaping up,  plus our latest training to handle complex incidents such as coordinated terrorist attacks in our jurisdiction.    www.waynefire.org

This episode of the Day Watch podcast was created live from the Indiana Convention Center during FDIC 2023. This special live podcast is presented unedited and will run the entire length of its original broadcast. Guests include Candace Ashby, Battalion Chief, Indianapolis Fire Department, retired Lieutenant Kevin Shea, FDNY, and Battalion Chief / Emergency Manager, Troy Wymer, with Wayne Township Fire Department. www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch Podcast, I sit down with Ellen Robinson, Wayne Township's new Human Resource Director.  Ellen and I discuss her background before joining the Township and what the HR manager position entails.www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the "Day Watch Podcast," I talk to Paul LeSage, (Ret) lead flight paramedic, assistant fire chief, and director of Oregon's second-largest emergency 911 and dispatch center,  to discuss his upcoming orientation class at Wayne Township Fire Department on April 5th, 2023.   Paul's work includes conducting complex event investigations, helping organizations integrate Just Culture principles into their internal justice systems, evaluating learning systems in high-reliability industries, and teaching leaders, managers, supervisors, clinicians, and other front-line operators how to instill Just Culture into daily operational practices best.www.waynefire.org

In part II of "Making Search Your Priority," Assistant Chief Matt Stewart and I continue our conversation with the Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering Magazine and retired Batallion Chief of the City of Atalanta Georga Fire Department, David Rhodes. Chief Rhodes joins us via zoom to answer follow-up questions about different search techniques and how to change your fire department's culture by making searching for and finding people trapped in burning structures the primary mission.www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch Podcast, Assistant Chief Matt Stewart and I sit down with the new Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering and Educational Director for FDIC international, David Rhodes. We spend time discussing the science behind why searching for victims should be the top priority on every run, no matter the size or staffing of your fire department. www.waynefire.org

I introduce Chief of the Department Marcus Reed on today's Day Watch Podcast.  Chief Reed talks about his career and his plans for the future of the Wayne Township Fire Department.www.waynefire.org

On this episode of the Day Watch Podcast, I sit down with the Divison Chief of Training, Scott Baker, and C shift firefighter Jeff Ball and discuss a house fire from January of 2023.  This fire had the first due engine company performing Vent-Enter -Seach (VES) and all other responding units making the necessary adjustments to complete the incident.www.waynefire.org

We have a big show in this episode! WTFD Medical Centers Nurse Practitioner Sonya Alivio, newly appointed Battalion Chief of Health and Safety Michael Phillips, and Assistant Chief of Planning and Administration Felicity Morgan all join me in conversation about our unique, specially built Medical Center, which serves the members and their families working for Wayne Township.

Battalion Chief Troy Wymer sits with me to discuss his new position as the fire department's Emergency Manager.  Troy brings real work experience and technical knowledge to this newly created position at Wayne Township.  

Meet the host of the Day Watch podcast Eric Banister.  Eric is a Captain and the Public Information Officer for the Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, IN.  This is a short podcast just to update its listeners on the show's status and ask for suggestions for future podcasts.

 I sit with EMS Division Chief Andrea Grogg and interim Fire Chief Matt Stewart to discuss invited questions sent to them by members of the Wayne Township EMS division. This episode of the Day Watch Podcast will cover a wide range of topics like staffing, promotional opportunities, and other upcoming opportunities for members of the EMS division.   

We are joined in the P-10 Recording Studio by Jacqueline Toomey, Co-Founder of "First Responder Sleep Recovery Program."  Jacqueline, Division Chief Felicity Morgan, and I discuss the importance of sleep and how science and rest provide evidence of disease prevention and other health benefits. 

On this episode of Day Watch, I speak with Chris Froelich, our newly appointed Service and Recognition coordinator at Wayne Township, to discuss how we are approaching and formalizing retirement and outstanding achievement awards for all fire department employees.

Chief Felicity Morgan and I sit down with Tim Drudge and Dave Smith from ProTeam Tactical Performance to discuss their philosophy on the physical rehabilitation of public safety personnel.  ProTeam Tactical Performance is a sports medicine-based rehabilitation group specifically curated for police and fire professionals. 

Tim Gallagher, the WTFD Peer Support Coordinator and the Local 416 Peer Support Secretary, and I sit down to discuss the mental health counseling and other resources available to Wayne Township employees and their families.

Assistant Chief Matt Stewart and I sit down with retired Atlanta Georgia Battalion Chief David Rhodes to discuss the past, present, and future of fire service leadership training and career development.  Chief Rhodes tells us about his time and experiences with the Georga Smoke Diver program and his long and dedicated career in the fire service.  

Division Chief of Health and Safety Felicity Morgan talks to us about her history with the Wayne Township Fire Department. We will discuss upcoming training and events in the health and safety division and preview the status of the VO2 testing for WTFD.

Chief Bobby Halton ret. is currently editor in chief of Fire Engineering magazine and education director of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC). We sat down with Chief Halton to discuss the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) and get to know more about this fire service leader. 

I sat down with Assistant Chief Matt Stewart to discuss the plans for Wayne Township.  Matt talks about the past, present, and future and fills us in on Fire Chief Mike Lang and his administration's plan to move WTFD forward. 

Wayne Township, Public Affairs Division, is excited to launch our first podcast. The podcast's goal is to communicate through transparent conversation how things work inside the offices of the fire department administration. Day Watch will interview a wide range of guests: operations personnel, civilian staff,  Administrative team members, and elected officials.