Listen in to Mark VonAppen who has been a member of the Palo Alto, California Fire Department since 1998, and is assigned to the suppression division where he holds the rank of captain. He is a committee member for California State Fire Training and has contributed to the development of Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention curriculums. Mark has been published in Fire Engineering Magazine, Fire Service Warrior, and is the creator of the fire service leadership blog FULLY INVOLVED. He is an instructor for the Santa Clara County Joint Fire Academy, a recruit Instructor for Palo Alto Fire, an academy instructor at Evergreen Community College, and a member of the “Nobody Gets Left Behind” training group.  Join us while we discuss all aspects of the fire service and discuss "FULLY INVOLVED Leadership" Fully involved is geared toward professionals who wish to expand their abilities in leadership. This presentation is aimed at anyone who wishes to lead at any level. FULLY INVOLVED is rooted in improving team performance and has application in both public and private sectors. FULLY INVOLVED has worked for over 40 years in professional football, the fire service, and applies to the business world as well. Thousands of fire service professionals have attended the FULLY INVOLVED Leadership Seminars and are now among the involved. “Getting team members to pull towards a common goal is a key component in successful operations. FULLY INVOLVED gives students the tools to create a pact that is applicable to all levels of the organization.”

EPISODE 21 Mark VonAppen

Frank Leeb is a deputy assistant chief in FDNY. He is the acting chief of training. He has served in several senior staff positions, including the chief of training, the chief of the fire academy and chief of safety. Leeb has been a member of FDNY since 1992 and a member of the East Farmingdale, NY, Fire Department since 1983. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire service administration from the State University of New York and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Leeb served as an advisory panel member for UL's Fire Safety Research Institute's "Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures" and is a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees for 420, 1585 and 1710. He was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 and published "Cornerstones of Leadership: On and Off the Fireground: Training - Teamwork - Mentorship," based on address. He was a presenter at the 2022 and 2003 U.S. Fire Administrator Summits on Fire Prevention and Control.

EPISODE 23 Frank Leeb

The Triple P and the Chief Exchange all in one. Listen in as Alec Wons host of the Chief Exchange interviews me.

EPISODE 27 - Chief Exchange Podcast

Dr. David Griffin, a Charleston, South Carolina native, is a nationally recognized leader, speaker, author, and fire service professional whose life was forever changed on June 18, 2007. As the driver of the first engine on scene at the devastating Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters, David was thrust into a journey of trauma, transformation, and ultimately, purpose.

Haunted by survivor’s guilt, Griffin initially spiraled into destructive coping mechanisms including alcohol, painkillers, and professional mixed martial arts fighting. After a punishing bout with UFC veteran Houston “The Assassin” Alexander left him battered and soul-searching, he came to a powerful realization: the path he was on did not honor the legacy of the nine lives lost. That moment became the catalyst for his life’s mission to lead change, challenge outdated systems, and promote healing and resilience among first responders and organizations worldwide.

Today, Dr. Griffin holds a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development, a Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Citadel, where he also played Division I baseball and later coached. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief for the Charleston Fire Department, having held every uniformed rank, and leads the department’s Honor Guard and Mental Health Peer Support Team.

He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program and has completed executive education at Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and through the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute. He is a Certified Fire Officer IV, Chief Fire Officer (CFO), and Chief Training Officer (CTO), and is an active member of the IAFC and the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE).

Beyond his fire service career, Griffin’s personal journey is one of grit and resilience. From overcoming doubts as a young athlete to becoming a state bodybuilding champion, professional MMA fighter, marathoner, and Ironman triathlete, he lives what he teaches. He was a rider in the 1,700-mile Brotherhood Ride from Florida to Ground Zero and continues to pursue fitness through boxing, surfing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and more.

In 2013, David launched The Find Your Mission Tour, an international movement of leadership, mental health awareness, and cultural reform. Over the last 12 years, he has spoken to more than 1,300 organizations across 47 U.S. states and multiple countries, reaching over 550,000 people in five languages. His audiences include fire and police departments, military units, universities, private companies, and nonprofits.

He is also a best-selling author with four published books:

In Honor of The Charleston 9: A Study of Change Following Tragedy

ACTION: 9 Missions for Personal and Professional Growth

From PTSD to PTG: A Firefighter’s (MY) Journey After a Multiple LODD Incident

Tattoos and Trauma: The Healing Power of Tattoos for Emergency Responders

Griffin is currently working on three new books:
I’ll Stand By You, Principled Leadership From The Road Less Traveled, and Handwritten Hope: Poetry and Prose to Cope. His wife, Melissa Griffin, is also an author, having written Inspiration from a Wife on a Mission Following Tragedy, which details the challenges of supporting a partner with PTSD.

Dr. David Griffin is living proof that adversity can be transformed into impact. His message is clear: trauma does not have to define you your mission can.




OFCA #39 Dr. David Griffin

The OFCA is your premier training, professional networking and proactive advocacy partner.
 
Mission Statement: "The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association exists to improve the safety of Ohio by leading, representing, educating and supporting Ohio's emergency services".

The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association is a statewide organization supporting the interests of Ohio's fire chief officers. Through a variety of programs and services, the Association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication and information exchange and peer networking opportunities throughout the year.

Through the work of its dedicated board of directors and committee volunteers and professional staff, the Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association continually focuses on being the premier fire and emergency services organization in the state of Ohio.

OFCA #39 Dr. David Griffin

OhioFireChiefsAssociation

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