Critical Conversations Podcast

JLN Associates
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JLN presents CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS, where we discuss hard-hitting subjects regarding the municipal fire industry and emergency responders.

  1. 6d ago

    Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: Separating Fact from Fiction with guest NFPA's Robert Duval

    Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and power tools to electric vehicles and energy storage systems—but are we fighting these fires based on facts or outdated assumptions? In this episode of Critical Conversations, hosts Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia sit down with Robert Duval of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to discuss the latest research on lithium-ion battery fires and what firefighters, safety professionals, facility managers, and emergency responders need to know. Together, they explore: 🔥 The newest research findings on lithium-ion battery fire behavior🔥 Common myths that continue to circulate throughout the fire service🔥 Thermal runaway and what actually happens during battery failure🔥 Effective firefighting tactics and responder safety considerations🔥 Water application, suppression strategies, and emerging best practices🔥 Lessons learned from real-world incidents and testing As lithium-ion technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, understanding the science behind these incidents is critical for making informed decisions on the fireground and in the workplace. Whether you're a firefighter, safety professional, emergency manager, or simply interested in the future of fire protection, this conversation offers evidence-based insights that challenge conventional thinking and highlight where the industry is headed next. Listen now and join the conversation.

    1h 30m

  2. May 21

    Honoring Fallen Firefighters with Victor Stagnaro | National Fallen Firefighters Foundation | Critical Conversations

    What does it truly mean to honor fallen firefighters and support the families they leave behind? In this impactful episode of Critical Conversations Podcast, hosted by Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia of JLN Associates, we sit down with Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), to discuss the powerful mission of honoring America’s fallen heroes and supporting firefighter families through remembrance, healing, and connection. Victor shares insights into the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the emotional impact these tributes have on surviving families, and why honoring firefighters goes far beyond a ceremony. This conversation dives deep into firefighter legacy preservation, grief support, firefighter mental health, and the importance of community within the fire service. In this episode, we discuss:🔥 The mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation🔥 Supporting families after a line-of-duty death🔥 Firefighter mental health and peer support🔥 The emotional impact of firefighter memorials🔥 Preserving the legacy of fallen first responders🔥 Why remembrance matters in the fire service community Whether you’re a firefighter, first responder, chief officer, family member, or supporter of the emergency services, this episode is a reminder that sacrifice should never be forgotten and that firefighter families deserve lifelong support. 🎧 Critical Conversations Podcast is proudly hosted by JLN Associates, a leader in industrial safety, emergency response, fire protection, and rescue services. Learn more at:👉 www.safejln.com Learn more about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:https://www.firehero.org/ #FirefighterPodcast #NationalFallenFirefightersFoundation #FallenFirefighters #FirefighterMentalHealth #FirstResponders #FireService #CriticalConversationsPodcast #NFFF #FirefighterSupport #LineOfDutyDeath

    1h 33m

  3. Feb 19

    Leading with Data: A Critical Conversation with Chief John Oates

    In this episode of Critical Conversations, we sit down with Chief John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute and former Fire Chief of East Hartford, Connecticut. Chief Oates shares how data-driven decision-making is transforming the fire service, improving responder safety, and shaping the future of emergency response. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and national standards work, he offers practical insights for today’s fire service leaders. From behavioral health to performance analytics and NFPA committee work, this conversation explores what it takes to lead with clarity in an increasingly complex risk environment. 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on leadership, accountability, and the power of data in public safety.

    1h 44m

  4. Jan 22

    Leadership, Learning, and Opportunity at the National Fire Academy

    In this episode of Critical Conversations, Nick Delia sits down with Eriks Gabliks, Superintendent of the National Fire Academy, to explore leadership, training, and the extraordinary opportunities available to fire and emergency services professionals across the country. Eriks shares how the National Fire Academy serves as a cornerstone for advancing the fire service - offering world-class education, leadership development, and technical training programs that shape the future of emergency response. From executive leadership courses to specialized technical curricula, the NFA provides pathways for firefighters, officers, safety professionals, and allied responders to grow their skills, expand their impact, and bring best-in-class practices back to their organizations. We discuss how investing in professional development through the NFA strengthens individual leaders, elevates organizational performance, and ultimately enhances community safety. Whether you’re an emerging leader, a seasoned chief officer, or a safety professional supporting high-risk industries, this conversation highlights why the National Fire Academy remains one of the most powerful resources available to the emergency services community. 🎧 Tune in for insights on leadership, learning, and how the NFA is helping prepare the next generation of fire service and emergency management leaders.

    1h 42m

  5. 11/20/2025

    Level Up Your Leadership with Guest Mark Waters

    Deputy Chief Mark Waters joins us for a deep dive into the leadership tools and resources every firefighter and fire officer should know. With more than 35+ years in the fire service - including 27 years as Deputy Chief of the New London Fire Department - Mark brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it takes to lead. He shares the leadership books he returns to often, the training models that have influenced his approach, and the lessons he’s learned through decades of on-the-job experience. Whether you’re a new firefighter or a seasoned leader, this episode offers guidance to help you grow, mentor, and inspire the teams around you.

    1h 42m
  6. Leadership with Chief Dennis Rubin - A Critical Conversation

    10/16/2025

    Leadership with Chief Dennis Rubin - A Critical Conversation

    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 leaders - Chief Dennis L. Rubin - for a discussion on Leadership Basics and what it truly means to lead in today’s fire and emergency service organizations.With over 35 years of experience spanning every rank from firefighter/EMT to Fire Chief, Chief Rubin brings unmatched insight into leadership, command, and safety. His impressive career includes serving as Chief of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, past President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and chair of the National Wingspread Strategic Planning Conference for over 30 years.Chief Rubin holds multiple degrees in Organizational Leadership and Fire Administration, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and the author of several acclaimed textbooks including Rube’s Rules for Survival, D.C. Fire, and It’s Always About Leadership.This live broadcast will explore the foundational principles that define great leaders - from integrity and accountability to decision-making under pressure - and how these lessons apply across every level of service.

    1h 42m
  7. Unlocking Safety: Electric Vehicle and ESS Fire Risks - Season 4 Episode 4 Critical Conversations

    07/18/2024

    Unlocking Safety: Electric Vehicle and ESS Fire Risks - Season 4 Episode 4 Critical Conversations

    In our latest episode of Critical Conversations, we sat down with Robert Duvall, the Northeast Regional Director and Fire Investigator at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to discuss critical issues surrounding electric vehicle fire safety and electrical power storage systems. As the adoption of energy storage systems (ESS) continues to grow, so too must our efforts to mitigate associated risks in this rapidly evolving industry. Bob shared his expert insight into the unique hazards posed by ESS and electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of safety measures and proper risk management. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of these emerging technologies and the necessary precautions to ensure safety. To further educate our audience, we encourage you to download information from these resources: https://tinyurl.com/electricfiressafety

    1h 52m
  8. From NFIRS to NEIRS with Tom Jenkins

    06/20/2024

    From NFIRS to NEIRS with Tom Jenkins

    Listen in to this enlightening episode of Critical Conversations where with talk with Tom Jenkins, the Research Program Manager at The Fire Safety Research Institute. 🔥 We'll be diving deep into the future of fire safety, discussing the replacement of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) with the new and improved National Emergency Incident Reporting System (NEIRS).

    1h 52m
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JLN presents CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS, where we discuss hard-hitting subjects regarding the municipal fire industry and emergency responders.

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