Critical Conversations Podcast

11/21/2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6t3oCXSOzxV1YFZly4OT7G?si=Hf5hxrn_RBGaUNYS6x0_Zg

11/20/2025

Last night we had an excellent live recording of Critical Conversations with our guest, Deputy Chief Mark Waters diving deep into leadership - the mindset, the mission, the real-life fire-service journeys. Nick DeLia
📺 Watch the replay on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eIppgNCrMhU?si=noXEnxNU1YScIoZL
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2nQ3GNYxIGnOnnrAIIN0Js

Some of the recommended reading by Mark & our guests:
- Five Alarm Leadership: From the Firehouse to the Fireground by Rick Lasky & John Salka - a powerhouse of fire-service leadership lessons. https://tinyurl.com/fivealarmbook2
- Cornerstones of Leadership: On and Off the Fireground by Frank Leeb - full of stories and principles shaped by decades of FDNY leadership. https://tinyurl.com/shx58fyc

There are many others - tune in to find out which ones we are talking about. We’re not just talking leadership - we’re walking it, training it, and living it together.

11/19/2025

🔥 TONIGHT! LIVE at 7PM 🔥
Join us for a special LIVE episode of Critical Conversations featuring Deputy Chief Mark Waters of the New London (CT) Fire Department.

With 35 years in the fire service - including 27 as Deputy Chief - Mark brings unmatched leadership insight, experience, and real-world perspective.

Tonight’s episode, “Literature Review Leadership Lessons,” dives into the leadership principles he’s studied, taught, and lived. From academic research to day-to-day command challenges, Mark connects the dots between effective leadership, mentorship, and organizational excellence.

If you’re passionate about professional growth, fire officer development, and learning from seasoned leaders, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

📅 Tonight - Wednesday, November 19th
⏰ 7:00 PM EST
🎥 LIVE Broadcast: https://mailchi.mp/326a5564bd19/tonight-with-jln-distance-learning-9315742

Tune in and join the conversation.
See you tonight!

Nick DeLia

10/30/2025

Our own Nick DeLia is hanging out with the crew at JLN Associates and Top Rung at booth 607!

Join Rung Inspection & Testing this week at the New England Fire Chiefs Exhibit Hall inside the Uncas Ballroom - Booth #607!
📍 Uncas Ballroom, Mohegan Sun
🗓️ October 29–31, 2025
🕔 Wednesday: 5:00–7:30 PM
🕘 Thursday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
🕘 Friday: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
We’ll be connecting with fire service professionals from across the region to share how our -compliant ladder, hose, and pump testing services help departments stay safe, efficient, and ready for service - all in one appointment.

Stop by Booth 607 to meet our team, talk testing schedules, and check out the latest equipment and innovations supporting today’s fire and rescue professionals. International Association of Fire Fighters
Learn more: www.newenglandfirechiefs.org

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.