Critical Conversations Podcast

10/16/2025

Did you miss last night’s live broadcast?
No problem - you can catch the full episode now! 🎙️

Join us on Critical Conversations Podcast as we dive into leadership, safety, and the stories shaping today’s fire and emergency services. Nick DeLia

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O6v8NHTR4iXNdCPGKYa5r?si=aefcd24c4b294d64

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7CTDXJ1A2Y

Join us for the first of our 2025 Leadership Series episodes of Critical Conversations. In this episode, we sit down with one of the fire service’s respected...

10/15/2025

Our hearts are broken today. IAFF Local 22 is devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of one of our own members. We mourn the passing of our brother, whose dedication, courage, and service to the people of Philadelphia will never be forgotten. We ask everyone to keep their family, friends, and fellow firefighters in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Rest in peace, brother.

-President Mike Bresnan- IAFF Local 22

09/16/2025

On 9/11, FDNY firefighter Tim Brown was inside the World Trade Center when the first plane hit. He helped evacuate the towers, survived the South Tower collapse, and lost many of his closest friends that day.

This week, he’s joining Critical Conversations to share his story of courage, survival, and why he fights every day to keep the memory of 9/11 heroes alive.

08/27/2025

TONIGHT on Critical Conversations LIVE broadcast

Join us live as we sit down with Lt. Tim Klett & Lt. Jay Walsh for The Road from CT to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

These two respected FDNY leaders take us inside their journey from small-town beginnings to one of the busiest fire departments in the world. From challenges faced to lessons learned, this is a conversation every firefighter—and anyone who values resilience and leadership—will want to hear.

📅 Tonight – August 27, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM EST
🎙️ Streaming LIVE: https://tinyurl.com/5vzz7y7w

Don’t miss it - the stories and insights you’ll hear tonight could change the way you see the job.

08/26/2025

Tomorrow night, Critical Conversations Podcast returns live with an episode you won’t want to miss.

🔥 August 27, 2025 – Lt. Tim Klett & Lt. Jay Walsh: The Road from CT to the FDNY

Two respected New York City Fire Department (FDNY) leaders join us to share their journeys, challenges, and lessons learned on the path from local service in Connecticut to the ranks of the FDNY.

Lt. Tim Klett – who began his career as a Connecticut firefighter before serving 31 distinguished years with the FDNY – and Lt. Jay Walsh bring raw experience, perspective, and leadership insight to the table.

📅 Upcoming Lineup:

September 17, 2025 – FF/EM Tim Bown: Surviving and Remembering 9/11 – a deeply personal conversation on resilience, remembrance, and moving forward.

October 15, 2025 – Chief Dennis Rubin: Leadership Basics – back to fundamentals with one of the fire service’s most respected voices.

November 19, 2025 – Deputy Chief Mark Waters: Literature Review Leadership Lessons – exploring what history and research teach us about leading effectively.

And we’re not stopping there - stay tuned for even more powerful episodes in December and January.

📍 Join us LIVE tomorrow night at 1900 hours. We recommend logging in by 1850 hours to get settled: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88507173757?pwd=SWJGWitsRFE4TEtsY2tFazk3cmI2Zz09

🎥 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

👉 Our Critical Conversations series began as a free resource for First Responders during the global pandemic, and we’re proud to continue bringing these essential discussions to the fire service and beyond.

07/07/2025

🎙️ We’re Back! JLN Safety is proud to announce the return of our original livestream and podcast series, Critical Conversations - where the fire service meets safety leadership.

Born out of the need for virtual training during the pandemic, Critical Conversations became a trusted source for real talk on the realities of emergency response, compliance, and wellness. From fireground decision-making to cancer prevention and mental health, we’ve sat down with industry giants like Bobby Halton, Chief John Salka, and the team behind Fire Department Coffee.

This year, we’re relaunching with a renewed mission:
To educate, inspire, and elevate safety culture across the country — one conversation at a time.

Led by our own Nick DeLia - Fire Chief, National Instructor, and Municipal Services Director at JLN - each episode brings together thought leaders from NFPA, OSHA, IAFF, and beyond.

📅 Stay tuned for our upcoming schedule, and be sure to follow JLN Associates to join the conversation!

12/10/2024

🎙️ 2024 in Review: Critical Conversations Podcast 🎙️

As we close out 2024, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of Critical Conversations! From groundbreaking discussions on firefighter health and safety to in-depth explorations of industrial rescue innovations, we’ve tackled the topics that matter most to first responders and safety professionals. We are very grateful to our incredible guests who joined us to share many important topics this year. Frank Leeb Firefighter Cancer Support Network Nick DeLia International Association of Fire Fighters National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Robert Duvall National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

🔥 2024 Highlights:
✨ Inspiring guest speakers like Frank Leeb and Tom Jenkins
✨ Actionable insights for emergency responders
✨ Behind-the-scenes stories that resonate

📺 Catch every episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQq-iqT R9z0DVoYtZ_AG5pw

🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform:

Spotify: Stream on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2nQ3GNYxIGnOnnrAIIN0Js)

Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/critical-conversations-podcast/id1571890796)

🛑 Don’t miss a single conversation! Hit SUBSCRIBE and join us in 2025 for even more compelling topics and expert insights.

09/10/2024

🚨 It's International Association of Fire Fighters's Su***de Prevention Stand Down Week: Sept 9 - 13, 2024 🚨

Mental health challenges like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are all too common in the first responder community. In a study of 7,000 firefighters, 65% reported struggling with difficult memories from calls, 59% experienced family or relationship issues, 27% faced substance abuse problems, and 19% admitted to having suicidal thoughts.

In honor of this important week, we’re revisiting a past episode of Critical Conversations where Nick DeLia sat down with FF/EMT, James McLoughlin to talk about mental health and coping strategies for first responders. James shared valuable insights into the importance of addressing mental health head-on in the fire service and ways to foster resilience.

🧠 Take a listen here: https://lnkd.in/es5Y35A9
***dePrevention

08/26/2024

Attention Retired Career Firefighters. The University of North Carolina is conducting a Retired Firefighters Health & Wellness Research Project.

Please consider participating to help retired brother and sister firefighters as well as those currently in the fire service.

https://exss.unc.edu/motion-science-institute/ryan-lab-group/retired-firefighter-research-study/

08/22/2024

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨

In this episode of Critical Conversations Podcast , we sit down with former York City Fire Department (FDNY) Chief Frank Leeb, now Managing Director of the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE). Chief Leeb shares his expertise on leadership, firefighter cancer, and mental health, while also giving us a closer look at the prevention strategies and health initiatives transforming the fire service. Plus, we dive into his acclaimed book, Cornerstones of Leadership, and get an exclusive preview of his upcoming release, 30 Fires You Should Know! 🔥

▶️ YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/wlRdw6G6YFQ
🎧 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2nQ3GNYxIGnOnnrAIIN0Js

🔥Cornerstones of Leadership: https://tinyurl.com/cornerstonesLeadership

🔥Pre-Order 30 Fires You Must Know: https://fireengineeringbooks.com/books/30-fires-you-must-know/

Tune in now to hear this must-listen conversation for all first responders!

In this episode of Critical Conversations, we sit down with former FDNY Chief Frank Leeb, now Managing Director of the First Responder Center for Excellence ...

07/22/2024

🎙️ Exciting News! 🎙️

Have you checked out the Critical Conversations Podcast on YouTube yet? 🌟 Dive into deep, engaging discussions on today's most pressing topics with industry experts and thought leaders.

From fire safety to community issues, our podcast covers it all. 🔥🏡

👉 Don’t miss our latest episodes:

In-depth interviews
Expert insights
Real-life stories
Subscribe to our YouTube channel now to stay updated and never miss an episode! 📲 https://youtube.com/?si=18z_QyVn5Hj5i1Kw

Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and be part of a community that values meaningful dialogue.

👍 Like, share, and comment to spread the word. Let's get critical!

"Critical Conversations" presented by JLN Associates, is a podcast dedicated to exploring various aspects of emergency response services. Hosted by Nick Deli...

07/18/2024

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Our latest episode is LIVE! In Season 4, episode 4 of the Critical Conversations Podcast, we sat down with the incredible Robert Duval, the Northeast Regional Director and Fire Investigator at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Listen in on this fascinating discussion about electrical fires and gain unique insights from one of the industry’s best experts.

🔔 Follow us on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eeF7Suxu
🎧 Subscribe on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/d2sHZx5y

Don't miss this captivating conversation! Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 👇

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jlncriticalconversations/episodes/Unlocking-Safety-Electric-Vehicle-and-ESS-Fire-Risks---Season-4-Episode-4-Critical-Conversations-e2m5h3i