What Is Character-Based Leadership? A New Era for the Fire Service.
What Is Character-Based Leadership? A New Era for the Fire Service. The Future of Fire Service Leadership Starts Here - Character-Based Leadership Roundtable. In this powerhouse episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief and fire services coach Arjuna George brings together an all-star panel to ignite a new conversation in the fire service, Character-Based Leadership.Featuring thought leaders and fire service veterans:James RychardRobert AvsecAnthony CorreiaScott WilkinsonThis isn’t your average leadership chat. We go deeper, into the human factors, psychology, emotional intelligence, and integrity that define true leadership in public safety.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:22 Meet the Guests04:39 Defining Character-Based Leadership07:03 Leadership Training and Recruitment27:07 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership32:38 Emotional Intelligence and Resilience in Fire Service33:14 Toxic Work Environments and Organizational Stress35:35 The Importance of Psychological Safety36:49 Character-Based Leadership and Its Impact38:08 Innovative Approaches in Fire Service40:42 Developing Leadership Skills and Attributes47:56 Introducing Character-Based Leadership in Seniority-Based Organizations52:24 Resources for Self-Development and Leadership59:19 Personal Leadership Values and North Stars01:04:23 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhat You’ll Discover in This Episode:How character, competence, and commitment form the new fire service leadership trifecta (inspired by Ivy Business School research)The role of emotional intelligence in building resilience and psychological safety in the firehouseWhy we need to hire for character and what that means for hiring and promotion practicesHow to start teaching leadership at the recruit level, not the retirement partyThe connection between mental health, toxic workplaces, and leadership cultureWhy character-based leadership could save more firefighters than any tool or tacticMentioned Resources & Institutions:Ivey Business School, Western University (Canada) – Groundbreaking research on leadership characterFire Service Psychology Association (FSPA)Columbia County Fire (GA) – PRIDE-based core value system for evaluationsNFPA 1021 – Opportunities to embed emotional intelligence and character developmentEFO Symposium – Quote by Dr. Kimberly Milani: “We hire for competence. We fire for character.”Books Referenced:Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis BradberryIt’s Your Ship by Capt. D. Michael AbrashoffAmerican Icon by Bryce G. HoffmanResearch and articles by Dr. Mary Crossan (Ivey Business School)Writings of Chief Alan Brunacini (customer service and character leadership pioneer)Gallup Press materials on strengths-based leadershipAction Steps – Get Involved:Ready to be part of the movement? We’ve just launched the Character-Based Leadership LinkedIn Group – a professional hub for sharing insights, resources, and real conversations that matter to the fire service. Join us and help shape the next generation of resilient, authentic leaders.👉 [Join the LinkedIn Character-Based Leadership LinkedIn Group here] https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13260169/Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone who believes that who you are matters more than just what you do.🎧 Beneath the Helmet — because real leadership starts from the inside out.Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)📨Linkedin Podcast Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321📝Join the BTH Newsletter at https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe📺Watch or Listen to all the episodes at www.beneaththehelmet.ca📩 Email Host: arjuna@silverarrowco.com
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
James Rychard
Firefighter
James Rychard is a firefighter/instructor/and speaker from Burlington Ontario. With over 21 years of service from two departments he understands the innerworkings of career and combination fire services. James has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and writes regularly for Canadian Firefighter magazine on topics that challenge the status quo of thinking. Writing on Team Dynamics and Relationships, Organizational and Human Behaviour, as well as Mental and Behavioural Health. In his spare time James spends quality time in nature hiking, biking and training his Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Luna.
Robert Avsec
Battalion Chief (Retired)
Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (ret.) served with the Chesterfield (Virginia) Fire & EMS Department for 26 years. He was an instructor for fire, EMS and hazardous materials courses at the local, state and federal levels, which included more than 10 years with the National Fire Academy.
Chief Avsec earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s EFO Program.
Beyond his writing for FireRescue1.com and FireChief.com, Avsec authors the blog Talking “Shop” 4 Fire & EMS and has published his first book, “Successful Transformational Change in a Fire and EMS Department: How a Focused Team Created a Revenue Recovery Program in Six Months – From Scratch.” Connect with Avsec on LinkedIn or via email.
Scott Wilkinson
Deputy Chief- Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service
Scott Wilkinson is a 34-year veteran of the fire and paramedic service and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Operations & Training for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. Scott previously served as the Assistant Chief, Community Risk Reduction and prior to that as the Project Manager for Training and Safety Equipment. Scott is a Primary Care Paramedic and formerly managed the WFPS officer and chief officer development programs. He is the former Peer Support Coordinator for the WFPS and continues to work with the department’s behavioural health and wellness programs. Scott serves on the NFPA Fire Officer Professional Qualifications Technical Committee and is the developer of numerous departmental programs including RPAS and PPE Maintenance and co-developed the WFPS Diversity Equity Fire Training Program (DEFT). He serves on various committees for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) including Human Factors, Leadership and Mental Health and is the chairperson of the RPAS/Robotics Committee. Scott holds the CAFC Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) credential and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba.
Anthony Correia
A 49-year emergency services veteran, I have dedicated over 25 years to leadership roles as a Chief Officer in fire and EMS agencies spanning volunteer, combination, and career sectors. Recently completing my term as President of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association (2022–2024), I continue to serve as my department’s Training Officer while actively responding as a firefighter/paramedic and member of the Burlington County Technical Rescue Task Force. I co-own a safety training and consulting business, blending operational expertise with instructional leadership.
My career reflects deep engagement in professional organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, NJ Fire & EMS Institute (Treasurer), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NJ Advocate/Line of Duty Death team member), and Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (past Board Director). I hold credentials from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and am a Certified Public Manager.
For 38 years, I’ve educated peers nationwide, developing courses for the NJ Division of Fire Safety and presenting at FDIC, Firehouse Expo, NVFC Training Summit, and IAFC Eastern Division conferences. Recent engagements include keynotes at the 2014 Cumberland Valley conference and presentations at the 2024 South Carolina EMS Conference. My advocacy extends to policy, having shaped NJ’s Firefighter Rehabilitation Guidelines and contributed to government initiatives for three decades.
Publications include articles in Fire-Rescue and FirefighterNati… Read More
