Humanizing Leadership in the Fire Service: Burnout, Culture, and Connection
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.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome back and guest introduction
01:00 – Why humanizing leadership matters in the fire service
02:00 – Burnout, retention challenges, and generational shifts
04:00 – Jared’s background and why he wrote his books
05:30 – The gap in leadership: technical vs emotional skills
06:30 – Systems failing firefighters and rising mental health concerns
09:00 – Increased workload and lack of support systems
10:30 – “Building a NASCAR with a stock motor” analogy
11:00 – Rethinking “soft skills” and emotional intelligence
13:00 – The discomfort of real leadership conversations
14:00 – Lessons learned between book one and book two
15:00 – Sleep, health, and mental clarity in leadership
16:00 – The impact of constant stimulation and brain fog
16:30 – Creativity, reflection, and innovation in leadership
17:00 – The power of validation in building strong teams
18:30 – Creating psychological safety and team cohesion
19:00 – Creativity, hobbies, and mental recovery
21:00 – Meaning, purpose, and how to beat burnout
23:00 – The challenge of losing identity after retirement
24:00 – Supporting firefighters beyond their career
25:30 – Traditional vs modern leadership in the fire service
27:00 – Why old leadership models are no longer enough
29:00 – Expanding roles and increased mental load
31:00 – The challenge of applying emotional intelligence
31:30 – Self-esteem and confidence in leadership
33:00 – Practical ways to build confidence as a leader
37:00 – Leadership gets harder and less visible over time
39:00 – The importance of mentorship across all ranks
41:00 – Observational leadership and reading your crew
44:00 – Building trust through everyday interactions
46:00 – Trust, culture, and performance on calls
47:30 – Rethinking discipline: from punishment to redirection
49:00 – Understanding root causes instead of reacting
52:00 – Leadership vs management mindset
55:00 – Turning mistakes into growth opportunities
58:00 – Concepts vs rules: why understanding matters more
01:01:00 – What firefighters need from their officers
01:02:00 – What officers need from their chiefs
01:03:00 – Communication, transparency, and trust in leadership
01:06:00 – Final reflections and closing thoughts
Key Themes in This Episode
- Humanizing leadership in modern fire service culture
- Burnout, retention, and mental health challenges
- Emotional intelligence as a critical leadership skill
- Building trust, validation, and psychological safety
- Rethinking discipline and leadership systems
- The importance of meaning and purpose in the job
Videos mentioned in this episode.
Why The Army Is Changing How Drill Sergeants Are TrainedHow playing an instrument benefits your brain
If this conversation resonated with you, take a moment to share it with someone on your crew or in your network.
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Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)
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Connect with the Host:
Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.
www.silverarrowco.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Father, Husband, Fire Captain, Author, Student of life
Hello, My name is Jared Vermeulen and I’m a 17 year veteran of Boca Raton Fire Rescue. I’m happily married and have the privilege of being the father of 2 great boys. I’m the author of the fire service leadership book: “The Modern Fire Officer.” I would love the opportunity to be on your show and discuss leadership, emotional IQ, PTSD, or anything currently facing the modern firefighter. I look forward to hearing from your podcast. Thank you for your time.
