Leadership Under Fire

10/09/2025

NEW EPISODE: “Leadership, Longevity and a Love for the Job with Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch BCFD (Ret.)“

Today’s episode was recorded during a fireside chat at the week-long LUF Summit with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Captain Andrew Whitehead sits down with Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch to discuss his remarkable and wide-ranging career in the fire service.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

Today’s episode was recorded during a fireside chat at the week-long LUF Summit with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Captain Andrew Whitehead sits down with Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch to discuss his remarkable and wide-ranging career in the fire service.

09/25/2025

NEW EPISODE: “Build Talent as Soon as You Can with Captain Tim Buchenroth Lexington, KY FD“

Today’s guest is Captain Tim Buchenroth, a 13-year veteran of the Lexington Fire Department in Lexington, Kentucky. Tim has been an active member of the LUF network since attending the team’s Columbus, Ohio, event in 2017. He is also a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and currently resides in Kentucky with his family.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

09/16/2025

NEW EPISODE: “That’s The Way Out with Deputy Chief Jay Jonas FDNY (Ret)“

Members of the LUF team recently had the honor on interviewing Deputy Chief Jay Jonas.

He was appointed to the New York City Fire Department on November 24, 1979. After graduating from probie school, he was first assigned to Engine Company 46 in the Bronx. He then crossed the floor to Ladder 27, where he honed his craft at the “Cross Bronx Express.” Seeking broader knowledge and experience, he transferred to Rescue Company 3, responding to some of the Bronx’s most challenging fires and emergencies.

Deputy Chief Jonas was later promoted to Lieutenant, serving with Ladder 11 on the Lower East Side. He then rose to the rank of Captain and was assigned to Ladder 6, where he served as company commander on September 11, 2001. Just one week after 9/11, he was promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to the 2nd Battalion.

In 2007, he achieved the rank of Deputy Chief in the 7th Division, where he continued his distinguished service until his retirement on July 9, 2022, marking the close of a remarkable 42-year career with the FDNY.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

Today we have the great honor of welcoming Deputy Chief Jay Jonas. He was appointed to the New York City Fire Department on November 24, 1979. After graduating from probie school, he was first assigned to Engine Company 46 in the Bronx. He then crossed the floor to Ladder 27, where he honed his craf...

09/13/2025

Tickets are $50, and payments to the raffle should be made via Venmo to -1, which can also be accessed from the QR code provided in the photo. Provide a full name and phone number when purchasing. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 22nd. You do not have to be present to receive the prize. Thank you for your continued support! https://venmo.com/u/FightforFirefighters-1

09/11/2025

Twenty four years ago this evening, thousands of ordinary Americans had no idea that they were only hours away from facing the unimaginable. We will never forget their extraordinary courage and the sacrifice that so many made. Credit: AMNY.

09/10/2025

Registration is still open for our LUF Online Leadership Development Course For and By Emerging Leaders, which is uniquely built around the perspectives of emerging leaders with 5-10 years of job time from several different departments.
•••
It includes 8 modules of instruction, discussion and collaboration designed for leaders of all ranks and experience (inclusive of senior leaders) who are committed to preparing their young firefighters, units, and departments to gain and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging operational environment.
•••
The course group will meet via a web platform on Thursday evenings (1930-2130 EST) during the semester (October 16 - December 11, 2025). The sessions will be recorded and all registrants will have access to the sessions.
•••
Course themes include: Enhancing tactical and human performance; Embracing tradition while challenging the status quo; Effectively learning from mistakes; Building an actionable leadership and performance file cabinet; Developing a leadership and performance philosophy that aligns with unit culture, and more.
•••
The LUF Advisory Team includes:
■ Jason Brezler, LUF Founder
■ Sean Kelly McCauley, Philadelphia FD
■ Deondre Smalls, Camden (NJ) FD
■ Max Devane, FDNY
■ Shaun Ferguson, Cherry Hill (NJ) FD
■ Rob Velazquez, FDNY
■ Trevor Meador, Frederick Co.
■ Joanne Mariano, FDNY
■ Tom Miller, FDNY
■ Tom Flores, Camden (NJ) FD
■ Charles Laudenslager, FDNY
■ Josh Krueger, Milwaukee FD
•••
Registration is LIMITED to 20 leaders.

https://web.cvent.com/event/82c79131-a11b-4f63-8daf-651c2decb3ab/summary?fbclid=IwY2xjawMuis9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqUzk2eENWODYxNFkxeWsxAR4hM7dDkBQy16Cq-Ul2R7vcXZXAOpAZk5OmfGFtYPzWSEpnWKN0bcGAvDTqDQ_aem_YvsCe6UFsorNGwWVxr2Myg

08/11/2025

UPDATE: Please note our upcoming Fall 2025 Online Leadership Development Course for and by Emerging Leaders will take place on THURSDAYS, not TUESDAYS. We apologize for the confusion, and we look forward to seeing you then! Thank you.

08/06/2025

Registration is now open for our LUF Online Leadership Development Course For and By Emerging Leaders, which is uniquely built around the perspectives of emerging leaders with 5-10 years of job time from several different departments.
•••
It includes 8 modules of instruction, discussion and collaboration designed for leaders of all ranks and experience (inclusive of senior leaders) who are committed to preparing their young firefighters, units, and departments to gain and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging operational environment.
•••
The course group will meet via a web platform on Thursday evenings (1930-2130 EST) during the semester (October 16 - December 11, 2025). The sessions will be recorded and all registrants will have access to the sessions.
•••
Course themes include: Enhancing tactical and human performance; Embracing tradition while challenging the status quo; Effectively learning from mistakes; Building an actionable leadership and performance file cabinet; Developing a leadership and performance philosophy that aligns with unit culture, and more.
•••
The LUF Advisory Team includes:
■ Jason Brezler, LUF Founder
■ Sean Kelly McCauley, Philadelphia FD
■ Deondre Smalls, Camden (NJ) FD
■ Max Devane, FDNY
■ Shaun Ferguson, Cherry Hill (NJ) FD
■ Rob Velazquez, FDNY
■ Trevor Meador, Frederick Co.
■ Joanne Mariano, FDNY
■ Tom Miller, FDNY
■ Tom Flores, Camden (NJ) FD
■ Charles Laudenslager, FDNY
■ Josh Krueger, Milwaukee FD
•••
Registration is LIMITED to 20 leaders.

https://web.cvent.com/event/82c79131-a11b-4f63-8daf-651c2decb3ab/summary

07/03/2025

06/26/2025

NEW EPISODE: “Poised Under Pressure in West Baltimore’s Streets of Fire with Lt Paul Novak Sr. BCFD“

The fireside chat is a longstanding staple in LUF leadership development and human performance courses. During a recent weeklong LUF human performance course, Baltimore City Fire Department leaders enjoyed the opportunity to hear Lt Paul Novak Sr. reflect on his career with host Jerry Smith. Lt Novak joined the ranks of the BCFD in 1973 and retired in 2004. Lt Novak established himself as one of the department’s most experienced, capable, and impactful fire officers. Paul Sr. was a 2nd generation member of the BCFD, and his sons Paul Jr. and Casey are 3rd generation members. Lt Novak and members of Engine 13 were featured in the Discovery Channel’s 1998 documentary “Streets of Fire.”

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

The fireside chat is a longstanding staple in LUF leadership development and human performance courses. During a recent weeklong LUF human performance course, Baltimore City Fire Department leaders enjoyed the opportunity to hear Lt Paul Novak Sr. reflect on his career with host Jerry Smith. Lt Nova...

06/12/2025

NEW EPISODE: “Revisiting Tribe with Journalist, Author and Filmmaker Sebastian Junger“

“Thrilling” and “thought-provoking” are just two words to describe the work produced by our guest in this episode. Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, science and experience tells us about the ability to endure hardship and how to navigate our current cultural terrain. Junger’s work includes the books: Tribe and The Perfect Storm as well as the Academy Award-nominated film: Restrepo, which he co-directed with Tim Hetherington. Junger holds a degree in anthropology, has a propensity towards dangerous jobs and an admiration for the “working man.”

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

“Thrilling” and “thought-provoking” are just two words to describe the work produced by our guest in this episode. Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, science and experience tells us about the ability to en...

06/04/2025

Find the full episode on our YouTube channel, available now! https://youtu.be/Rimskq-Os8M?si=aazkOXmsbZXj-xTV