Show notes
In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, Arjuna sits down with Fire Captain and author Jared Vermeulen to explore what modern leadership truly looks like in today’s fire service.This is a real conversation about burnout, culture, emotional intelligence, and the growing need to humanize how we lead. Jared shares insights from his experience, his books The Modern Fire Officer, and his work in peer support.If you’re a firefighter, officer, or leader navigating the demands of the job, this episode speaks directly to what many are feeling but not always saying.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back and guest introduction01:00 – Why humanizing leadership matters in the fire service02:00 – Burnout, retention challenges, and generational shifts04:00 – Jared’s background and why he wrote his books05:30 – The gap in leadership: technical vs emotional skills06:30 – Systems failing firefighters and rising mental health concerns09:00 – Increased workload and lack of support systems10:30 – “Building a NASCAR with a stock motor” analogy11:00 – Rethinking “soft skills” and emotional intelligence13:00 – The discomfort of real leadership conversations14:00 – Lessons learned between book one and book two15:00 – Sleep, health, and mental clarity in leadership16:00 – The impact of constant stimulation and brain fog16:30 – Creativity, reflection, and innovation in leadership17:00 – The power of validation in building strong teams18:30 – Creating psychological safety and team cohesion19:00 – Creativity, hobbies, and mental recovery21:00 – Meaning, purpose, and how to beat burnout23:00 – The challenge of losing identity after retirement24:00 – Supporting firefighters beyond their career25:30 – Traditional vs modern leadership in the fire service27:00 – Why old leadership models are no longer enough29:00 – Expanding roles and increased mental load31:00 – The challenge of applying emotional intelligence31:30 – Self-esteem and confidence in leadership33:00 – Practical ways to build confidence as a leader37:00 – Leadership gets harder and less visible over time39:00 – The importance of mentorship across all ranks41:00 – Observational leadership and reading your crew44:00 – Building trust through everyday interactions46:00 – Trust, culture, and performance on calls47:30 – Rethinking discipline: from punishment to redirection49:00 – Understanding root causes instead of reacting52:00 – Leadership vs management mindset55:00 – Turning mistakes into growth opportunities58:00 – Concepts vs rules: why understanding matters more01:01:00 – What firefighters need from their officers01:02:00 – What officers need from their chiefs01:03:00 – Communication, transparency, and trust in leadership01:06:00 – Final reflections and closing thoughtsKey Themes in This EpisodeHumanizing leadership in modern fire service cultureBurnout, retention, and mental health challengesEmotional intelligence as a critical leadership skillBuilding trust, validation, and psychological safetyRethinking discipline and leadership systemsThe importance of meaning and purpose in the jobVideos mentioned in this episode.Why The Army Is Changing How Drill Sergeants Are TrainedHow playing an instrument benefits your brainIf this conversation resonated with you, take a moment to share it with someone on your crew or in your network.Make sure to subscribe to Beneath the Helmet, leave a comment with your thoughts, and help spread this message by sharing the episode.Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY 📝 Podcast Newsletter: 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter:✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube:
