Fire Headlines

On this week’s episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna and special guest Darrell Reid, Vice President of Strategy at Darkhorse Emergency. With over 30 years of experience in the fire service, including serving as a Fire Chief in multiple Canadian cities, Darrell now shares his expertise to help fire departments leverage analytics and data for smarter decision-making.

This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna sit down with Genasys Senior Vice President Michael Smith and Vice President of Field Operations Steve Sickler at WFCA’s IGNITE Symposium. In the midst of devastating wildfires and other natural disasters, the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources is crucial for saving lives and ensuring the safety of communities. This episode delves into how technological innovations in crisis communication, particularly around evacuation management, are revolutionizing the way emergency services respond to incidents.

This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna are at WFCA’s first ever IGNITE Symposium. They sit down with Emergent Tech President David Blankinship and Microsoft's Director of Technology Strategy for State and Local Government, Sai Narain, to discuss the changing landscape of fire service leadership, focusing on the profound impact of data, AI, and technology on decision-making and operations. The conversation explores how fire departments are increasingly adopting new tools and systems to streamline operations, improve community safety, and allow leaders to focus on what truly matters: effective leadership.

This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist, Chief Ken Kehmna, discuss an often-overlooked danger firefighters face while on duty—freak accidents that can lead to severe injuries. Inspired by an article featured in the Daily Dispatch about a Kansas City firefighter who was injured when a fire hose coupling struck his leg, the discussion highlights both the random nature of such accidents and the importance of safety measures to prevent them. From discussing real-world examples to offering key safety reminders, this episode shines a light on how preparedness, public awareness, and training are vital for minimizing risks.

In today’s episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss an exciting innovation in wildfire fighting technology—a non-toxic fire retardant developed by two teenagers from Silicon Valley. Inspired by their firsthand experience with wildfire smoke, these young innovators have created a groundbreaking product called Clore, designed to protect properties from the devastating impact of wildfires, particularly in areas like Los Angeles. Chief Kehmna shares his insights on the importance of non-toxic fire retardants, the evolving role of technology in firefighting, and how public-private collaborations are shaping the future of fire service.

This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna dive into the topic of the classic fire pole versus the modern-day fire slide. As shared in an article from the Daily Dispatch, the Bartlesville Fire Department recently replaced their traditional fire poles with slides to improve efficiency, prompting a deeper discussion on the pros, cons, and safety aspects of both methods.

This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the significant and dangerous impact of unauthorized drones on firefighting efforts. A story featured in the Daily Dispatch highlights a recent incident at the Palisades Fire on January 9, 2025, where a drone collided with a firefighting aircraft. The collision forced all aircraft to land, temporarily halting aerial operations. The panel explores how these rogue drone activities pose serious risks to both the crews operating aircraft and those working on the ground. They also address the legal consequences for drone operators in active firefighting zones, emphasizing the importance of public awareness to prevent such disruptions in the future.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss the challenges many fire departments face with fleet management, particularly the rising costs of purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus. With financial pressures mounting, some departments, like Amarillo Fire Department, are considering leasing fire trucks as an alternative to traditional purchasing. Chief Kehmna shares insights into how leasing can offer financial flexibility, improve fleet reliability, and help departments manage the increasing costs of fire equipment.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, we delve into the crucial role that empathy plays in first responder training. Our guest, Chief Ken Kehmna, shares insights on how empathy can be integrated into training programs to improve both technical skills and compassionate care. We also discuss how innovative tools like Lifecast Body Simulation Manikins are helping first responders better prepare for real-life scenarios.

To kick off the New Year, organizational psychologist and longtime friend of the show, Dr. Andrew Holter joins Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna to dive into the crucial concepts of psychological safety, leadership, and team dynamics within the fire service. Dr. Holter shares his experiences both from the academic and practical sides, offering valuable insights into how fire service organizations can improve their culture, performance, and retention. Drawing on real-world examples, he highlights the challenges faced by fire departments in fostering an environment of trust and communication, particularly in high-stress situations like emergency responses.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna explore a unique program called Industrial Artistic and Creative Therapy (IACT), designed to help first responders and veterans cope with PTSD and stress through blacksmithing. They discuss how this creative therapy provides a therapeutic outlet and offers participants the chance to develop new skills while connecting with others who share similar struggles. Chief Kehmna shares how this hands-on approach can significantly impact mental well-being.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the transformative impact of robotics in the fire service. They begin with a look at the Tulsa Fire Department’s use of drones to monitor a large chemical fire at a petroleum tank farm. The discussion highlights how advancements like these are reshaping operational strategies and safety measures in the fire service.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the growing dangers of hazardous social media trends, focusing on the recent "mirror fire challenge" that involves rubbing alcohol. This trend has already caused severe injuries, highlighting the urgent need for fire service professionals to address these risks proactively.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion speaks with Chief Ken Kehmna about the impact of lithium-ion batteries on fire service operations. They discuss the challenges posed by electric vehicles, e-bikes, and scooters, as well as the evolution of tactics and prevention strategies in the fire service.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to explore the rising focus on pet rescue equipment in the fire service. With Colorado Springs Fire Department introducing emergency pet kits, the discussion highlights how the fire service is adapting to meet community needs and redefining the role of pets in emergency response.

Discover fire station resilience and strategies for responding when the station becomes the scene on the latest episode of WFCA's Fire Headlines Podcast

In this episode, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss the use of inmates as trained firefighters, a program utilized by 35 counties in Georgia as reported in an article shared in the Daily Dispatch. With a shortage of firefighters, these counties have turned to prison-trained inmates to provide essential first-response services. In this conversation, Samantha and Chief Kehmna delve into the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding this practice, as well as how it impacts the communities served and the inmates themselves.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the pressing issue of EMS personnel shortages across the U.S. Following a recent article shared in the Daily Dispatch, this week's episode highlights Cincinnati State’s expanded EMT and paramedic program as one solution, to address this shortage. While the Cincinnati initiative is promising, the conversation dives deeper into the nationwide shortage, exploring its causes and potential remedies. Chief Kehmna shares how hands-on experience, similar to Cincinnati’s approach, can be pivotal in building new EMS professionals' confidence and readiness in this high-stress, critical field.

In this week's episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna and Chief Kim Zagaris (also known as Chief Z), WFCA Senior Operations Advisor. They delve into the vital contributions of Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) member departments to hurricane response efforts, particularly in light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which has claimed nearly 300 lives. Chief Zagaris provides a detailed overview of the urban search and rescue (USAR) teams that have been deployed to assist with hurricane recovery. These teams, managed in conjunction with FEMA, include members from fire agencies across several states, such as California, Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Departments like Los Angeles City and County Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, and others contribute highly trained personnel and specialized equipment for search and rescue operations, particularly in challenging conditions such as swift water environments and structural collapses.

This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna delve into the growing issue of energy drink consumption at firefighter training sites. This topic has garnered significant attention in the Daily Dispatch after the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association banned energy drinks at all hands-on class sites. The decision came in response to the alarming rise in energy drink intake and two recent firefighter deaths in Kansas linked to their consumption. The discussion highlights the increasing reliance on energy drinks among firefighters, especially during long shifts and high-demand situations, raising concerns about health and long-term well-being.