#62 "Fires That Made ME: 19 years Philly Fire" With Anthony Bompadre

Chief Anthony Bompadre shares his experiences and insights as a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department. He discusses the structure and organization of the department, including the number of members, platoons, divisions, and battalions. Chief Bompadre emphasizes the importance of trust and communication between officers and firefighters, as well as the need for officers to be adaptable and make decisions based on the specific circumstances of each fire. He also highlights the value of having consistent personnel on the fireground, such as the members of the rescue squad, who bring experience and a high work ethic. Chief Bompadre shares a personal story about a fire where he learned the importance of slowing down and taking in the bigger picture as a chief officer. The principal themes of this conversation include the importance of experienced firefighters and officers in setting the tone and leading by example, the significance of calmness and effective communication on the fire ground, the value of mentorship and coaching for new firefighters, the role of company officers in guiding and encouraging their crews, the need for accountability and owning mistakes, and the challenges and lessons learned by firefighters at different stages of their careers. In this part of the conversation, Mike and Anthony discuss the importance of being accountable as an officer and the need for officers to be both leaders and followers. They share stories of officers making mistakes and the lessons they learned from those experiences. They emphasize the importance of humility, communication, and standing up for your crew. They also discuss the challenges of dealing with difficult situations and the need for officers to make tough decisions while also being open to feedback and learning from their mistakes. In this final part of the conversation, Mike and Anthony discuss the importance of camaraderie and communication on the fireground. They share stories of how firefighters come together after a fire to laugh and make light of mistakes, emphasizing the need to let go of tension and move on. They also highlight the significance of officers who have the right mindset and experience to handle intense situations and own up to their mistakes. The conversation concludes with Anthony sharing his most memorable fire and the most challenging fire he has faced as an officer. Takeaways

Trust and communication between officers and firefighters are crucial for effective fireground operations.

Officers should be adaptable and make decisions based on the specific circumstances of each fire.

Having consistent personnel on the fireground, such as members of the rescue squad, can provide valuable experience and a high work ethic.

Slowing down and taking in the bigger picture as a chief officer can help identify potential issues and make more informed decisions. Experienced firefighters and officers play a crucial role in setting the tone and leading by example on the fire ground.

Calmness and effective communication are contagious and essential for successful firefighting operations.

Mentorship and coaching from senior firefighters and officers are invaluable for the development of new firefighters.

Company officers have the responsibility to guide and encourage their crews, and should be open to accountability and owning their mistakes.

Firefighters at different stages of their careers face unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Officers need to be accountable for their actions and decisions

Being a good officer means being both a leader and a follower

Humility and open communication are key traits for effective officers

Officers should stand up for their crew and defend them when necessary

Making tough decisions and learning from mistakes are important aspects of being an officer Camaraderie and communication are crucial on the fireground.