Leadership Under Fire

A Lineage of Mission-Oriented Leadership with Chief Bob Hoff, Chicago FD (Ret.)

In this episode, you'll hear the recording of a presentation that was delivered at a 2018 Leadership Under Fire National Conference in Evanston, Illinois. The team was humbled by the caliber of leaders who contributed to the event and the types of leaders who rigorously contemplated the moral, mental and physical aspects of mission-oriented leadership and optimal human performance. To include our guest in this episode, retired Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff. 
A third-generation firefighter, Bob Hoff started his career as a Cadet with the Evergreen Park Illinois Fire Department in 1972. In 1976, he was hired as an EMT with the Chicago Fire Department and in 1977 he entered the Chicago Fire Academy as a Firefighter/EMT. Hoff served in some of Chicago’s busiest fire companies throughout his career. He worked in the Bureau of Operations as a Firefighter /EMT, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He also served as the Director of Training for the Chicago FD and the 1st District Chief in Chicago’s downtown high-rise district. He later served as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations, 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner and Fire Commissioner. He retired from the CFD in 2012 after nearly 36 years of service. Chief Hoff then went on to serve as the Deputy Chief and Chief of the Carol Stream Illinois Fire District until his retirement on January 1, 2020. Hoff’s brother, Raymond, was a 32-year veteran of the Chicago FD. His grandfather, Joseph Hoff, retired as a captain in 1936. And his father, Thomas Hoff, was a battalion chief who was killed while fighting a blaze in a South Side apartment building in 1962. His son, Andy Hoff, is an active member of FFPM with the Downers Grove Illinois Fire Department. Uncles, cousins, nephews and brothers-in-laws are all current and retired members of the Fire Service. Notably, his family’s service and sacrifice inspired the movie, “Backdraft."

Remembering FDNY Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey Sr.–Part II

On September 11, 2001, Deputy Chief Raymond Downey was the commanding officer of FDNY Special Operations Command. Tragically, he was one of the 343 members of the FDNY who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11 while trying to save innocent victims. Chief Raymond Downey was one of the Department’s most decorated fire officers and a true department icon with 39 years of dedicated service. He was also one of the nation's leading experts on rescue operations at collapsed buildings. In episode one of this series, we explored the life and legacy of Chief Downey as a family man and legendary firefighter and officer who led by example and upheld the highest standards. In this second and final episode in the series, we’ll take a closer look at his role as a strategic visionary who advanced rescue training and operations in the FDNY and beyond, his deep commitment to his Catholic faith, his incredible response to the attacks on 9/11 and his enduring legacy, all compliments of his wife of 41 years, his children and former firefighters who worked with him and were inspired by his actions and leadership.

Psycho-Neurobiology and Resilience with Dr. Charles ”Andy” Morgan

Our guest in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast is Dr. Charles "Andy" Morgan. Dr. Morgan's neurobiological and forensic research has established him as an international expert in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in eyewitness memory and in human performance under conditions of high stress. Dr. Morgan has generously contributed to the Leadership Under Fire endeavor and the FDNY's Mental Performance Initiative--enhancing the resilience of first responders through cutting-edge understanding and programs. Jim McNamara hosts. 

Remembering FDNY Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey Sr.--Part I

In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast, and the one to follow, we're honored to share the story of Deputy Chief Ray Downey’s devotion to his family, his faith and his beloved FDNY compliments of the insight of his wife of 41 years, his sons and his former firefighters who were inspired and influenced by his leadership, service, and courage. Chief Downey’s extraordinary 39-year career with the FDNY was built upon success after success and rescue after rescue. While he was held in high regard by members of the Department and emergency response agencies worldwide, he led a humble life, extremely devoted to the mission and members of the Department. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Chief Downey was the commanding officer of FDNY Special Operations Command, placing him in harm’s way while helping others escape from the fire and collapse scene of the World Trade Center. Chief Downey was one of the 343 members of the FDNY who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11 and left behind a legacy that continues to profoundly shape the Department’s special operations capability set as well as other fire departments across the country. Chief Downey’s leadership, strategic vision and his devout Catholic faith, love for his family, the FDNY and competitive sport continue to inspire fire officers, military leaders, coaches, and citizens today.

Revisiting Measuring Rigor with Timothy Clarke

In this episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with Tim Clarke that was recorded in 2019. Tim is a Brooklyn native who has lived most of his life in New York City. After several years of competing with some of the best endurance athletes in the world as a Professional Triathlete, Tim became an FDNY firefighter in June of 2015. In 2020, he made a life-altering decision to join the United States military. As both an athlete and a coach, Tim gained extensive experience using biometric heart rate data as a tool for training and racing. His experience has given him a unique insight into what happens inside the human body at real world fires and emergencies as well as during workouts and recovery. Tim is a graduate of the University of Delaware and serves as a Human Performance Data Analyst for Leadership Under Fire. Please enjoy a brief update from Tim about his latest endeavors followed by our original conversation, which is as timely as ever. 

Revisiting the Contributions and Legacy of Charles ”Sid” Heal

The original broadcast date for this episode was November 7, 2019. Charles “Sid” Heal was much more than a subject matter expert on doctrine – he was a US Marine Chief Warrant Officer 5, a combat veteran of four conflicts to include Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom, a veteran LA County Sheriff and pioneer in the fields of special tactics and tactical science, a dynamic speaker, and a published author, and a carpenter. Sid was gregarious, kind, and a true gentleman. He possessed an unrivaled amount of physical energy and a contagious spirit of intellectual curiosity that naturally complimented his inordinate operational experience. Our team was extremely saddened to learn of Sid’s sudden passing on May 24, 2022. His departure came as a shock to his family and all of those who loved him, as well as all of those of us who benefited from his wisdom – wisdom that was undoubtedly an anchor in disorienting, complex and lethal environments. Sid would commonly say, “the principles of optimal human performance are universal – it is the application that is contextual.” Our team was honored and blessed to have Sid shape our approach to preparing leaders and operators to perform optimally, under pressure. We are forever grateful for Sid’s tutelage and his ability to “humanize the narrative.”

Optimizing Performance at Fires and Emergencies in the Cherry Hill NJ Fire Department

In the Spring of 2022, the Leadership Under Fire Team launched an Optimizing Human Performance Program with the Cherry Hill NJ Fire Department. The program strives to equip fire officers, firefighters and EMS providers with a comprehensive understanding of human performance, particularly under stress in high-risk settings. The immersive LUF human performance course is being delivered to the Cherry Hill FD in three iterations. Each iteration consists of 40 hours of immersive curriculum that rigorously explores physiological performance under operational stress, cognitive function and decision-making in high-risk settings, mental skills and conditioning, as well as responsible stress inoculations. The final block is devoted to a provocative examination of what science, history and experience inform us about risk and resilience.  
 
Course advisors and contributors include several fire service leaders as well as human performance thought-leaders in the military, sport and academia. The Cherry Hill NJ fire department is the third fire department in the US to advance performance in programmatic fashion--they join the FDNY and the Milwaukee FD in this endeavor. Lieutenants Zach Houck and Timmy Moore serve as the human performance program managers for the Cherry Hill FD. The LUF team is proud of our relationship with the Cherry Hill FD and Philadelphia FD, as we continue to work together to humanize the narrative around performance at fires and emergencies. 

Leading and Competing with a Walk-On Mentality with Adam Casey

Our guest in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast is Adam Casey. Born and raised in St. Louis, MIssouri, Adam attended the University of Missouri (aka Mizzou) where he was a walk-on for the Tigers football team from 2004 - 2008. After graduating with a Bachelor's in Biology, Adam was commissioned as a naval officer in 2012 with the intentions of becoming a Navy SEAL Officer. In 2013, Adam laterally transferred to the Marine Corps where he served as a rifle Platoon Commander with 2nd Battalion, 6thMARINES. Soon after assuming command of his platoon, Adam was diagnosed with advanced Stage-IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent a grueling six months of chemotherapy. Upon remission, Adam returned to school at the University of Colorado at Boulder to earn another undergraduate degree, this time in Computer Science. Now a full-time software engineer for Jane Technologies, Adam continues to find purpose in running a non-profit and hosting his own podcast.

Learning and Leading After 9/11 with FDNY Battalion Chief Jason Cascone

Battalion Chief Jason Cascone has served in the FDNY since 2001. He is currently assigned to Battalion 17 in the Bronx. Prior assignments include Engine 67 and Ladder 36 as a firefighter, Engine 332 as a lieutenant and Ladder 11 UFO as a captain. He holds a BBA in accounting from Pace University and an MPA from Baruch College, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs. He attended the West Point Counterterrorism Leadership Program, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security and the FDNY Mental Performance Initiative. He is a content producer for the Department’s Bureau Fire Operations, and is the editor in chief of WNYF magazine—the FDNY’s official training publication which has been publishing since 1940.

Purpose and Performance as a Pararescueman with Doug Kechijian

Doug Kechijian is a physical therapist and CEO and co-founder of Resilient Performance Systems. Resilient seeks to systematically explore the continuum between acute rehabilitation and athletic performance. Resilient’s clientele includes athletes and operators from Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), professional mixed martial arts, X Games, Winter and Summer Olympics, collegiate athletes as well as those in federal law enforcement tactical teams and military special operations units. Before beginning his sports medicine practice, Doug was a Pararescueman in the U.S. Air force where he deployed throughout the world to help provide technical rescue capability and emergency medical care to U.S and allied forces. He is a nationally certified paramedic with advanced training in emergency, trauma, and wilderness medicine. In 2015, he was selected as one of the U.S. Air Force's Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Doug received his AB in Biology from Brown University and MA in Exercise Physiology/Doctor of Physical Therapy from Columbia University.