In this episode, Chief Chris Tubbs sits down with leadership expert Dave Anderson to explore what it truly means to lead with character. Together they discuss the habits, values, and daily decisions that define authentic leadership—especially when the pressure is high and the stakes are real. Listeners will gain practical insights on integrity, accountability, and how character-driven leadership builds trust, strengthens teams, and shapes lasting impact both on and off the job.

In this episode of the CalChiefs / FDAC podcast, host Chris Tubbs is joined by leadership expert and author Steve Kent of The Results Group, Ltd. The discussion explores the essential relationship between strategic planning and organizational culture within public safety agencies. Drawing from decades of experience and his influential book Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture for Public Safety Agencies, Steve shares candid insights on the importance of vision, the dangers of short-term thinking, and the need to align strategy with values and community expectations. He challenges conventional leadership paradigms, emphasizes the need for grown-up accountability, and offers practical tools for building resilient, forward-looking organizations. The episode is a rich dialogue filled with wisdom, humor, and a call to action for public safety leaders to lead with purpose and foresight.

Steve's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Planning-Organizational-Culture-Agencies/dp/B09L9QT57W/

The Results Group, Ltd. = https://theresultsgroupltd.com

Mind Your 4 Peas (personal and team coaching site): https://coachsteve.org

It's About The Future (Substack blog site): https://stephenlkent.substack.com/

In this episode, we explore Psychosocial Hazards are Real! by Dr. I. David Daniels—a powerful and timely examination of the often-overlooked mental, emotional, and social challenges faced in today’s workplaces, especially in high-stress professions like public safety. Drawing on personal experience and professional insight, Dr. Daniels exposes the systemic risks that harm psychological well-being and offers a path forward toward healthier, more accountable, and human-centered work environments. Whether you’re a leader, peer, or policy maker, this book is a must-read.

The California Fire Service is facing a critical funding shortfall that jeopardizes the safety and preparedness of communities statewide. Fire protection districts and fire departments, which cover 125,782 square miles and serve over 39 million people, have seen service demand grow significantly over the last 50 years. Despite this, funding mechanisms have not kept pace, leaving fire agencies struggling to maintain staffing, equipment, and infrastructure.

This episode dives into the critical evolution of public safety communications, focusing on the recent FCC decision to establish a nationwide Band Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz spectrum, and discuss the evolution and deployment of the FirstNet System. Host Chris Tubbs interviews Chief Jeff Johnson, a leader in public safety technology and the development of FirstNet. Together, they explore the history, governance, and transformative potential of FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz spectrum in enhancing public safety operations with emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and augmented reality. The discussion emphasizes the importance of protecting and optimizing public safety spectrum, the lessons learned from past advocacy efforts, and a call to action for public safety leaders to remain engaged in ensuring the spectrum’s effective use and governance.

In this episode in an interview with Chief Eric Saylors (El-Cerrito Fire), Chief Saylors discusses his Naval Post Graduate School Thesis, Quantifying the Negative. In this episode Chief Saylors shares how his thesis led to the creation of a method to quantify the value a fire agency brings to a community and how this aids I the fire service telling its story to the community and elected officials.

President Heine and Past President Tubbs discuss why the Fire Prevention Section decided to leave Cal Chiefs after the Cal Chiefs Reorg and where is Cal Chiefs is going next as it relates to a new Fire Marshall's Section.

On this episode, your host Chris Tubbs interviews Fire Chief & CalChiefs President Mark Heine, and CalChiefs Attorney Andrew Schouten, ESQ of Wright L’Estrange & Ergastolo (WLE).  We will be discussing the recent publication of the Riverside vs Symons case; the history of the litigation and various court decisions, and ultimately the publication of the Appellate Court’s Ruling and what that means.

In this Episode Retired Fire Chief Ray Gayk interviews Glenn Leland about the first training opportunity presented by Cal Fire Chiefs Consulting and Training, The Ambulance Business Academy (ABA). The ABA is a two week in person academy teaching the California Fire Service the Ambulance Business from a private and public perspective. Glenn Leland has over 40 years in the ambulance business experience at the highest levels of leaderships and has teamed up with Cal Fire Chiefs C&T to offer the most in depth look into how the ambulance business works, Information about the Ambulance Business Academy can be found on the Cal Fire Chiefs C&T website cafirechiefsconsulting.com

In this episode we talk about the importance of Operationalizing your Strategic Plan with our friends at Envisio and how it can really change your agencies effectiveness.

Past President Gayk interviews Battalion Chief Matta Miranda who is the Southern Section President for the Cal Chiefs Training Officers Section. Chief Miranda discusses what the Training Officers are doing in both the Southern/Northern Divisions, and he gives a great overview of the upcoming 2024 Fresno Training Symposium.

In this episode Past-President Ray Gayk interviews Fire Chief Mike McCliman from Rancho Cucamonga Fire District on today's firefighter recruitment challenges and what RCFD is doing to overcome those challenges. Rancho Cucamonga punches way above their weight when it comes to recruitment, and we dive into Rancho's philosophy and techniques that have given them an edge in the fight for new recruits.

In this Episode we talk with newly elected Cal Chiefs President Mark Heine about his background and what's coming up for Cal Chiefs over the next year. Chief Heine is the Fire Chief for the Sonoma County Fire District and has been a leader and board member in Cal Chiefs for almost a decade. His experiences in the Fire Service and Cal Chiefs will be explored in our discussion and how he sees this year going for Cal Chiefs during his Presidency.

We have a conversation with Retired Firefighter Matty Fiorenza from the Anaheim Fire Department about his story that takes us through his journey of mental health challenges and his bouts with attempted suicide. This is a powerful story we all need to hear, because his story is unique but unfortunately it isn't unique in today's fire service.

In this episode we interview Fire Chief Colin Stowell, who is the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Fire Chief and President of the California Metro Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Stowell talks about several topics ranging from the challenges of running a Metro size department, Homelessness Crisis and how San Diego Fire tackled the Ambulance problem they faced in their city.

In this episode we interview Fire Chief John Binaski, who is the Fire Chief of the Clovis Fire Department and the Legislative Director for CalChiefs. Chief Binaski will describe our current legislation dictates how State Fire Service Training and its programs are funded, what has changed since the original legislation, and what SB 577 is intended to do relative to SFST programs and services. Chief Binaski will also discuss the legislative process and how and why CalChiefs engagement is critical for our membership.

On this episode, President Tubbs discusses the Oxnard Court Case and current legislation introduced by Assemblymember Bennett, AB 1168, with Oxnard Fire Chief Alex Hamilton.

On this episode, President Tubbs discusses the Tribal Chiefs Association with Fire Chief and Association President Jason Keeling.

In this episode we discuss the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Ballot Initiative, which is qualified for the November 5, 2024 ballot, with Kyle Packham, Advocacy and Public Affairs Director of California Special Districts Association (CSDA). CalChiefs believes it is important for all Californian Government agencies to be aware of this initiative and what the impacts of this ballot measure if it passes.

In this Episode we discuss the Chief Officer Leadership Symposium which is held annually in Fresno. Chief (Ret) Bruce Martin discusses the origins of the symposium, its purpose, and examples of the kinds of courses that are a part of the educational program.

On this episode, Past President Ray Gayk interviews Chiefs Mark Heine and Chris Tubbs to discuss their experiences with consolidations.  There are many reasons for, types of, and important considerations associated with consolidating fire agencies.  In this interview, Chiefs Heine and Tubbs share their experiences and learned lessons.

On this episode, we interview Chief Alex Hamilton to discuss the recently singed legislation (AB662) which added sections to the Current Health & Safety Code (1797.119 & 13159.6) which requires the State Fire Marshal to establish additional training standards that include the criteria for curriculum content recommended by the Statewide Training and Education Advisory Committee involving Peer to Peer Suicide Prevention Programming.

On this episode, we interview Chiefs Bernie Malloy (Murrieta Fire) & Kristin Thompson (Newport Beach Fire) to discuss the California Fire Service’s Response to the Pandemic; the State-wide survey conducted by CalChiefs, and the Case Studies.  Chiefs Malloy and Thompson discuss what the early days of the pandemic and how the fire service responded, the lessons that were learned by this response, and the action taken to capture and memorialize this response.

On this episode, we interview Fire Chief Jeff Gilbert of the Williams Fire Protection Authority, a volunteer / combination fire department, located in Williams, CA.  Chief Gilbert will share his perspective on leading and managing volunteer and combination fire agencies.

On this episode, we interview Past President Chief Ray Gayk about his year as President.  Chief Gayk will share his assessment of the work CalChiefs focused on this past year, the ongoing initiatives, the challenges as President, and the future of CalChiefs.

In this episode Deputy Chief and CalChiefs Legislative Director Ted Peterson discusses California's GEMT programs, and most importantly, the new PPGEMT program, which begins January 1, 2023. Chief Peterson provides a history of GEMT, the various types of GEMT programs, and a description of the new PPGEMT program. Chief Peterson also discusses the importance and value of the new PPGEMT program, and what agencies need to do to prepare and participate in the new program.

A discussion with Executive Officer Mark Brown and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority. Born out of the North Bay Fires, Marin County residents and the Marin County Fire Service banded together to create a way to reduce the risks from the threat of Wildland fire, and to better prepare residents for any natural disaster. Mark Brown discusses how the MWPA came into being, what it objectives are, and how it defines success. This podcast is intended to share one County's approach to dealing with the threat of wildfire.

In this episode we discuss the FIRIS system with OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. The Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence Service is available state-wide and Chief Fennessy discusses the origins of FIRIS, the challenges with bringing FIRIS to life, and challenges that still lay ahead. President Gayk also shares the latest information on CalChiefs activities.

President-Elect Tubbs interviews CalChiefs Executive Director Chief Jeff Meston about the upcoming 2022 Annual Conference in Sacramento. Occurring September 13 - 15, 2022 at the Grand Sheraton in Sacramento, the three day event features numerous speakers, vendors and vendor displays, as well as the installation of our new officers. Director Meston provides details about each days activities as well as the registration process.

This episode is the launch of a new initiative for CalChiefs and its members. President Ray Gayk and President-Elect Chris Tubbs discuss the podcast initiative; how and why the idea came to fruition, what we hope it achieve, and a sneak peek to upcoming topics. We welcome feedback to our podcast episodes and you can email comments to: podcasts@calchiefs.org.