SMFR Podcast Connor Christian

In this episode, we dive into the budget process, including strategy, timeline, process and how the political landscape plays a role in the process. We discuss how we got to where we are today, and where we are going in the future. Chief Kristin Eckmann hosts this podcast, with Deputy Chief Matt Weller and CFO Dillion Miskimins.


Timecode
0:06 Chief Eckmann Introduction- Setting the stage
0:45 Chief Eckmann- Planning the 2024 budget brought a lot of variables
1:07 Dillon explains what the 2024 budget process entailed and how we got to where we are today
1:40 Political landscape and bills impact on budget process
2:05 Proposition HH
3:45 Timing and impact of legislation while budget planning
5:30 Different scenarios in budget process
6:35 How 2024 budget planning was different then years past
7:30 Adoption of 2024 budget and what it included
9:03 Initiatives that were priority- cardiac screenings, capital projects plan,
10:08 Capital projects plan including cardiac monitors, Station 15 rebuild, facility improvements, apparatus replacements
10:32 Chief Weller talks about why cardiac screenings became a priority and how SMFR has started that
12:35 Station visits and identifying capital improvements needed
15:48 Process and importance of backfill in the budget
20:25 Dillion explains process and timeline for 2025 budget
25:40 Long-term budget planning and management
29:30 Closing remarks

We are looking back at a devastating incident that occurred in our fire district 5 years ago. On May 7th 2019, the STEM School Shooting forever impacted the community we serve and the South Metro individuals who were involved in the response. We are reflecting on the events that occurred that day, but also discussing what has changed in our organization and training model since then to prepare for the future.

After several unifications over the years and combining many different forms of fire department operations, episode four of South Metro's Around the Kitchen Table Podcast focuses on the project to revise, revamp and rollout updated versions of SMFR's Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) with safety at the forefront. In this 30 minute episode, you will hear from Division Chief of Operations Jeff Tasker, Battalion Chief of Administration Mike Burke and Deputy Chief of Emergency Services John Curtis.


Time Codes:


:40 Chief Curtis Introduction - origin, focus and direction of the SOG Revision Project
4:00 Introductions from Chief Tasker and Chief Burke - setting the stage
6:20 Background on rotational position assignment for Chief Burke
7:00 Started with evaluating SOGs - applying to critical factors & tasks, along with decision making support
11:07 Importance of support and empowerment for critical thinking
12:28 Workflow and new format of revised SOGs. Written with a purpose - input received from subject matter experts and approved by Chiefs at all levels
15:00 Staging the rollout, color coding
17:20 Collaborative approach with the project
20:25 Kudos from Chief Tasker
20:50 Kudos from Chief Burke
21:10 Importance of passing along lessons learned and experience to younger generations in the fire service and supporting those promoting in rank
23:10 Other updates from Chief Curtis - budget process and philosophy, legislation, State of the District (PACE acronym), academy plans for 2024
27:28 Closing Remarks

We're taking the national conversation about Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) local on episode three of South Metro’s Around the Kitchen Table Podcast. You'll also hear some tailboard talk about first due fires in Station 21s district. This episode features insight from A shift Lieutenant Nick Bjork and C shift Firefighter Paramedic Meghan Pudliner, both operating out of Station 21, along with Deputy Chief of Emergency Services John Curtis.


Time Codes:


1: Introduction/Chief Curtis covers PFAS Overview, SMFR Cancer Policy, single layer bunker gear thought process, IAFF Film BURNED
10: Lt. Bjork covers history of bunker gear at SMFR, what has changed/stayed the same, current status, line conversation about gear
22: FF Paramedic Pudliner covers background details on the SMFR Wear Study, traveling to bunker gear vendors around the country, takeaways from those visits
28:15: Single layer timeframe
32: Cultural shifts impacting how gear is utilized
38:12: Rumors to truths - PFAS is not just in the fire service
40:30: Breathability of gear
42: Fact sheets from GoreTex (Linked below)
43:50: Other background information from FF Paramedic Pudliner and importance of utilizing both sets of bunker gear
47:40: Changes seen with hoods and gloves
52:40: Cleaning expectations for bunker gear
53:50: Lt. Bjork goes through AAR of first due fires in 21s district
1:09:50: Closing Remarks


CLICK HERE for educational resources from Gore's website, the manufacturer of SMFR's moisture barrier.

Listen in to episode two of South Metro’s newest podcast season Around the Kitchen Table as District Chiefs Jake Mayhew, Scott Sarver and Dave Mueller talk about where their focus is for 2023 and what goals are ahead. Roundtable topics include DC initiatives, communications, safety, efficiency, leadership, consistency and more across A, B and C shifts. Division Chief of Emergency Services John Curtis also talks through some rumors to truths along with various other important discussion points.

It is a common saying in the fire service that the world’s problems can be solved around the kitchen table. Whether that be a tool for teaching, sharing lessons learned, diving down “what if” rabbit holes or just gathering to share a meal and getting to know those around you. With this new podcast season, we want to bring the kitchen table talk of South Metro to you as we navigate through key topics, rumors to truths along with projects and initiatives going on in our organization and specifically in Emergency Services.


In this episode we are talking with Deputy Chief of Emergency Services John Curtis, Operations Chief Jeff Tasker, Division Chief of EMS Jens Pietrzyk, Division Chief of Line Support Scott Richardson and Division Chief of Human Performance and Optimization Andy Powell.