Afleveringen
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Not every equipment deployment is a success. Too often, new tools, apparatus, software, and technology are purchased with good intentions but struggle to gain traction once they reach the field.
In this Project Command Rewind episode, we revisit one of the most important topics in fire service project management: how to successfully deploy new equipment. From initial planning and stakeholder engagement to communication, training, implementation, and evaluation, we break down the steps that separate successful rollouts from costly failures.
Whether you're introducing new apparatus, SCBA equipment, radios, EMS devices, software platforms, or specialized tools, this episode provides a practical framework for getting personnel on board, reducing resistance to change, and ensuring your investment delivers real operational value.
If you've ever wondered why some equipment becomes indispensable while other initiatives quietly fade away, this episode is for you.
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Hazard Class Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Cc0F0Au2dlH3w1YTyMtzC?si=ede697056e3d4fe5
Jake Ryks is a firefighter, HazMat specialist with the St. Paul Fire Department, and the host of the Hazard Class Podcast. In this episode, Jake shares the story behind launching one of the fire service's most respected podcasts and how a passion for learning, leadership, and meaningful conversations helped it grow into a valuable resource for firefighters across the country.
We discuss some of the most memorable interviews Jake has conducted, the lessons he's learned from some of the biggest names in the fire service, and the leadership principles that continue to shape his career. Jake also offers practical advice for anyone interested in starting a podcast, building an audience, and creating content that provides real value.
Whether you're interested in HazMat operations, leadership development, professional growth, or podcasting, this conversation is packed with insights from someone who has spent years learning from the best and sharing those lessons with the fire service community.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Culture Eats Projects for Breakfast
Why do so many fire service projects fail despite solid planning, clear timelines, and strong leadership support?
The answer often isn't found in the spreadsheet.
In this episode of Project Command: Flash Points, Captain Duke Cuneo explores the hidden force that determines whether organizational change succeeds or stalls: culture.
From strategic plans and staffing initiatives to policy rollouts and training programs, leaders frequently focus on execution while overlooking the informal networks, trusted voices, and shared beliefs that ultimately drive buy-in. A project may be technically sound, but if the culture rejects it, resistance begins long before failure becomes visible.
This episode examines the difference between compliance and commitment, the influence of informal leadership inside the firehouse, and why organizational culture functions as the operating system beneath every project.
If you're responsible for leading change, implementing new initiatives, or moving your organization forward, understanding culture may be more important than perfecting the plan itself.
Key Takeaways:
Why projects rarely fail because of poor planning alone The difference between formal authority and cultural influence How passive resistance quietly derails implementation Why trust and belief are often the true drivers of project success Strategies for building buy-in before launching changeProject Command: Flash Points delivers quick, practical insights that turn project management concepts into everyday leadership tools for the fire service.
Learn more about Project Management in the Fire Service, available now on Amazon.
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In this encore episode of Project Command, we revisit one of the most important and overlooked challenges facing modern fire departments: technical debt.
Every time a project launches without complete policies, training, communication plans, documentation, or long-term sustainment strategies, organizations accumulate hidden operational debt. Over time, that "almost done" work creates confusion, slows future initiatives, overwhelms project leaders, and drains organizational bandwidth.
This episode breaks down what technical debt looks like in the fire service, why the final 10 percent of a project is often the most critical, and how unfinished work quietly impacts efficiency across the organization. We discuss practical strategies to identify technical debt, prevent it during new projects, and reduce it within legacy systems.
If your department feels buried in loose ends, inconsistent processes, duplicate work, or constant operational friction, this conversation is for you.
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What does it take to lead change in a profession built on tradition? In this episode of Project Command, I sit down with retired Dallas Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel DeYear to discuss leadership, organizational change, and the realities of implementing large-scale initiatives in the fire service.
Drawing on decades of experience, Chief Deyear shares his perspective on how the fire service has evolved, what leadership lessons remain timeless, and why successfully managing change requires far more than simply issuing orders. We explore how leaders can build momentum, gain buy-in, navigate resistance, and move complex projects from concept to completion.
Whether you're leading a station-level initiative, implementing new technology, managing a major organizational change, or trying to move your department forward, this conversation offers practical lessons from a leader who has successfully guided large organizations through significant transformation.
Topics include:
β’ How the fire service has changed over the past several decades
β’ Leadership lessons that stand the test of time
β’ Managing organizational change in a paramilitary environment
β’ Building support for large initiatives
β’ Overcoming resistance and pushback
β’ Leading complex projects and strategic efforts
β’ Communicating vision and maintaining momentum
β’ Developing future leaders within the organizationIf you're interested in leadership, project management, organizational effectiveness, and the future of the fire service, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
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https://youtu.be/hX3O1NTwVak?si=znbR1NPUDz0DL8q8
In the debut episode of Project Command International, Duke Cuneo sits down with Deputy Commissioner Mick Morris of Fire and Rescue New South Wales for a powerful conversation on leadership, systems thinking, and the future of modern emergency services.
With nearly 36 years in one of the world's largest urban fire services, Mick shares lessons learned from frontline operations, executive leadership, operational improvement, and international collaboration. The discussion explores how large organizations manage complexity, build high-performing systems, and align strategy with frontline execution at scale.
The conversation also takes a deeply personal turn as Mick discusses the life-changing drowning accident involving his son Samuel, and how that tragedy led him into international healthcare advocacy, drowning prevention initiatives, and systems-level thinking that would ultimately reshape his leadership philosophy.
Other topics include:
Organizational culture and change management Community risk reduction and prevention-focused leadership Strategic alignment inside large fire departments Decision-making under uncertainty Global collaboration in the fire service AI, technology, and the future of emergency response Why leaders must "stay curious" in complex environmentsThis episode sets the tone for the entire international series β bringing global perspectives on strategy, execution, leadership, and public safety innovation to the fire service community worldwide.
Hosted by Duke Cuneo. Featuring Deputy Commissioner Mick Morris, Fire and Rescue New South Wales.
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Learn more about the Memorial Stair Climb UK team here and how you can support this historic project:
https://memorialstairclimb.co.uk/
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/memorial-stair-climb1
On this episode of Project Command, I sit down with Barnaby Long to discuss one of the most historic firefighter memorial projects ever attempted.
Barnaby serves as the Managing Director of the Memorial Stair Climb UK team, which is organizing an unprecedented effort to bring 343 firefighters from across the United Kingdom and Ireland to Atlanta, Georgia, for the 2026 Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Patriot Day Memorial Climb at Truist Park. Together, these firefighters will climb in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
We discuss the culture of the UK Fire Service, the international brotherhood shared throughout the fire service, and the enormous project management effort required to coordinate travel, fundraising, logistics, staffing, and operations for a team of this size. Barnaby shares the story behind the mission, why this event matters so deeply to the firefighters involved, and how the project has grown into a historic undertaking that represents far more than just a stair climb.
This episode highlights the incredible work being done by the Memorial Stair Climb UK organization and the firefighters dedicating themselves to honoring the legacy of the fallen through service, sacrifice, remembrance, and international unity.
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On this episode of Project Command, Cpt. Duke Cuneo sits down with Nate Smith, President of Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, to discuss what it takes to lead the largest supplier of used emergency vehicles in the United States.
The conversation explores the operational and logistical challenges of managing fire apparatus sales and fleet operations at a national scale, including procurement, transportation, refurbishment, customer coordination, and project management in the fleet environment.
Duke and Nate also discuss the complexities of doing business internationally, the unique demands of the emergency vehicle market, and how departments can better approach apparatus purchasing and long-term fleet planning.
This episode provides an inside look at a side of the fire service many people rarely see: the massive coordination, logistics, leadership, and operational planning required to move emergency vehicles across the country and around the world.
Whether you are involved in fleet management, apparatus specification, logistics, procurement, or organizational leadership, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most important support systems behind emergency response.
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Captain Peter Younes brings listeners a special episode of Project Command with an exclusive reading of the opening chapter from the new book, Project Management in the Fire Service.
In this episode, Peter reads the first chapter of the book and explores a problem every fire department faces but rarely talks about directly: we are exceptional at emergency response, but often struggle when it comes to managing organizational projects, technology rollouts, apparatus purchases, station construction, policy implementation, and long-term change.
This special preview introduces the core ideas behind the book and explains why project management is becoming one of the most important skill sets in the modern fire service.
This is also the only place to hear this chapter in audio format, as the book is not currently available on Audible.
Whether you are a firefighter, company officer, chief officer, project manager, or someone trying to move your organization forward, this episode provides a practical introduction to the systems, leadership principles, and project management concepts that are reshaping the fire service.
Follow Project Command for more conversations on leadership, technology, organizational change, AI in public safety, and practical project management for emergency services.
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Project Command is going global.
Welcome to Project Command International β a new series exploring how fire service and public safety leaders around the world manage complexity, lead organizations, drive innovation, and execute at the highest levels.
From Australia to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, we'll sit down with some of the most respected voices in emergency services to discuss leadership, decision-making under pressure, technology, organizational culture, and the systems that keep modern public safety moving forward.
This isn't just about tactics. It's about strategy, execution, and global perspective.
Hosted by Captain Duke Cuneo, Project Command International brings international conversations home for leaders at every level of the fire service.
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You've heard the names: ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and Claude. But which one is actually worth using on the job?
In this episode I put all four head-to-head and give you a straight answer. No sponsored takes, no tech jargon, just an honest breakdown of what each one does well, where each one falls short, and which ones are worth paying for.
Whether you're a firefighter, a chief, an EMS provider, or just someone trying to figure out which AI tool deserves a spot in your life, this episode is for you.
We cover:
β’ ChatGPT β still the most recognized, but is it still the best?
β’ Grok β what makes Elon's AI different and who it's actually for
β’ Gemini β Google's play and whether it lives up to the name
β’ Claude β the one most people are sleeping on
β’ Free vs. paid β which subscriptions actually pull their weight
β’ Best use cases for each tool
β’ Which one I use and why -
n this episode of Project Command, we take a step back and look at what actually moves the needle inside a fire department. We talk about how to get real buy-in on projects and how to build momentum when there is little or no initial support. This is not theory. It is what works when you are trying to move people, resources, and priorities in a complex organization.
This episode is driven by questions from you. I enjoy doing these Q and A and AMA style episodes because they keep me accountable to the topics you actually want to hear about. It also gives me a chance to address what is happening in your departments right now, not just what sounds good on paper.
We break down the characteristics of effective leadership in today's fire service and what separates leaders who create progress from those who stall it out. The conversation also covers common mistakes departments continue to make, especially when it comes to technology decisions, communication breakdowns, and misalignment between leadership and the field.
We spend time on where technology is heading and what it actually means for operations, training, and decision making. That leads into a direct conversation about AI. Is it overhyped, or are departments underestimating how quickly it will impact the job
If you are involved in leading projects, implementing change, or trying to improve how your organization operates, this episode will give you practical insight you can apply immediately
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In this episode of Project Command, I sit down with Jared Vermeulen to talk about leadership in the modern fire service and what it really takes to build something that lasts.
Jared is the author of The Modern Fire Officer and Building Legacy That Endures, and this conversation dives deep into the ideas behind both books. We move beyond tactics and operations and focus on the leadership skills that often get overlooked but ultimately determine long-term success.
We discuss the importance of soft skills in leadership, including communication, emotional intelligence, trust building, and influence. These are the skills that shape culture, drive performance, and determine whether an organization improves or stays stuck.
We also talk about what chiefs and organizational leaders need to understand in 2026. The job is changing. Expectations are higher. The environment is more complex. Leaders who rely only on traditional approaches are going to struggle. Jared lays out what leaders need to focus on now to stay effective in the years ahead.
This is a conversation about leadership that goes beyond rank, beyond title, and beyond the fireground. It is about building people, building systems, and building a legacy that actually endures.
If you are serious about leadership, this one is worth your time.
Check out Jared's books here:
The Modern Fire Officer: https://a.co/d/0fWpY99k
Building Legacy That Endures: https://a.co/d/0iu0bMvQAs always, we do not run ads. If you find value in the show, share it with someone else in the fire service.
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Recorded live from FDIC, this episode of Project Command features Duke Cuneo sitting down with firefighter Jeff Lenard from the Washington, D.C. Fire Department to break down one of the most complex and tragic incidents in recent memory.
They walk through the January 2025 midair collision involving a commercial passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter over Reagan National Airport, examining what happened, how responders managed the incident, and the operational challenges faced in the moment.
The conversation goes beyond the headlines. Duke and Jeff dig into the technology that played a role in the response, from aviation tracking tools to on-scene coordination systems, and how those tools helped shape decision making during a rapidly evolving disaster.
They also talk through key lessons learned, including communication, interagency coordination, and the realities of operating in a dense urban environment with overlapping jurisdictions.
The episode wraps with a look at emerging technology in search and rescue and special operations, and how departments can start thinking now about integrating these tools before the next major incident occurs.
If you are involved in operations, command, or planning, this is a grounded, real-world discussion on what works, what breaks, and what needs to improve.
As always, we do not run ads. If you find value in the show, share it with someone else in the fire service.
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Recorded live from FDIC, this episode features a conversation with Bailey Farren, founder and CEO of Perimeter, about what is actually happening with AI in the fire service right now.
We get into how her company is using AI to support fire departments, where agencies are seeing real value, and where things are still more hype than reality. Bailey shares what she has observed from working across departments, including how AI is being used globally and how those use cases compare to what we are seeing here in the United States.
We also talk about the broader technology landscape. What trends are gaining traction, what leaders should be paying attention to, and where departments can get caught behind if they are not careful.
This is a practical conversation. Less theory, more real-world application. If you are trying to understand how AI fits into your organization and what comes next, this one will give you a clear picture.
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An ongoing conflict involving Iran has created significant disruptions to global energy markets and supply chains that directly affect fire and EMS operations. In this episode, Peter breaks down what that means on the ground for fire service leaders, using current data from the EIA, FBI, DHS, and other authoritative sources. We cover the real numbers on fuel costs and what diesel prices have done over the last 30 days, the damage to Gulf energy infrastructure and why a ceasefire does not mean prices snap back, how the just-in-time pharmaceutical supply chain puts EMS medications at risk right now, what the Houthi Red Sea campaign taught us about how slowly shipping and insurance markets recover after a conflict, where fire service PPE and EMS medications actually come from and which ones are most vulnerable, and what federal agencies including the FBI, DHS, and CISA are saying about the domestic security threat. If you lead a fire department, run EMS operations, or manage public safety budgets, this episode gives you the situational awareness you need to start planning today.
Episode Citations:
1.ββββU.S. Energy Information Administration. (2026, April 7). April 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/ ββββββ2.ββββAmerican Automobile Association. (2026, April 17). AAA gas prices. https://gasprices.aaa.com/ ββββββ3.ββββU.S. Central Command. (2026, April 11). U.S. forces start mine clearance mission in Strait of Hormuz [Press release]. https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4457220/us-forces-start-mine-clearance-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz/ ββββββ4.ββββFBI. (n.d.). The Iran threat. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/the-iran-threat ββββββ5.ββββDepartment of Homeland Security. (2025, June 22). National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin. https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/national-terrorism-advisory-system-bulletin-june-22-2025 ββββββ6.ββββYadav, P., & Hirschfeld, A. (2026, March 20). Where the Iran war could disrupt pharmaceutical supply chains. Think Global Health. https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/where-the-iran-war-could-disrupt-pharmaceutical-supply-chains ββββββ7.ββββBurnett, K., Li, K., Basquel, L., & O'Connor, C. (2026, April 14). 15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/15-charts-that-explain-why-the-strait-of-hormuz-shutdown-matters-for-the-global-economy/ ββββββ8.ββββMorley, E. (2026, November 27). Red Sea risk: Why maritime insurance won't return to "normal" anytime soon. Kpler. https://www.kpler.com/blog/red-sea-risk-maritime-insurance ββββββ9.ββββSolAbility. (2026, April 11). Gulf crisis 2026: The daily cost of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (Day 42 model). https://solability.com/news-insights/iran-war-marginal-cost ββββββ10.βββU.S. Pharmacopeia. (n.d.). Over half of the active pharmaceutical ingredients for prescription medicines in the U.S. come from India and the European Union. Quality Matters Blog. https://qualitymatters.usp.org/over-half-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-api-prescription-medicines-us-come-india-and-europeanββββββββββββββββ -
In this special Q&A episode of Project Command, we dive straight into questions from our listeners in the fire service and beyond. We discuss one of the biggest challenges facing departmentsβhow to effectively scale project management without losing control or clarity. We also break down practical strategies for managing the firefighter schedule within active projects, balancing operational demands with long-term initiatives. Finally, we explore the hard truths behind why projects fail in the fire service, uncovering common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Whether you're leading change or supporting it, this episode is packed with actionable insights from the field.
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Fire departments operate in environments where competence, trust, and consistency can mean the difference between life and death. Because of that reality, change inside the fire service is often far more difficult than leaders expect.
In this episode of Project Command, Captain Peter Younes explores why fire departments frequently struggle to implement lasting change. The discussion breaks down several structural and cultural factors that make change difficult in high reliability organizations like the fire service.
The episode begins by examining why firefighters often resist change. Resistance is frequently misunderstood as negativity or stubbornness, but in many cases it is a rational response to operational risk. Firefighters build their performance on familiarity with their crew, their equipment, and their environment. When those elements change, competence temporarily drops. This creates what can be described as the proficiency tax.
The conversation then explores how poor communication around the purpose of change erodes trust. When firefighters do not understand why a new system, policy, or procedure is being introduced, adoption suffers. Leaders must communicate the purpose of change clearly, repeatedly, and with real context.
Another major factor is capacity for change. Individuals and organizations both have limits. Personal stress, fatigue, operational tempo, and multiple simultaneous initiatives can overwhelm even well designed improvements.
The episode also looks at the doom loop described in Good to Great and how it often appears in the fire service through constant program shifts and trend driven initiatives. Without long term planning and strategic direction, organizations create change fatigue that undermines future efforts.
Finally, the episode introduces a practical framework from the book Switch. Effective change requires addressing emotion, logic, and environment at the same time. If any one of these elements is ignored, even well intentioned initiatives can fail.
If you lead projects, programs, or operational initiatives in the fire service, understanding how change actually works may be one of the most important leadership skills you develop.
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In this special guest appearance, Peter Younes, host of the Project Command podcast, is interviewed by Chief Eric Linnenburger on the Ops Talk podcast. We are bringing this conversation to the Project Command feed because it digs deep into the core mission of what we do here: applying professional project management to the high-stakes world of public safety.
Peter and Chief Linnenburger discuss why the "fireground mentality" is a double-edged sword when it comes to administrative and operational projects. They break down the essential value of systems, the psychological hurdles of implementing new technology in a traditional culture, and the specific friction points that cause complex projects to stall in the fire service.
Highlights of the Interview:
The Project Management Gap: Why tactical excellence doesn't always translate to the officeβand how to bridge it.
Systems as a Foundation: Moving from a "hero culture" to a "systems culture" for long-term reliability.
Tech Adoption: How to introduce new software and tools without losing the buy-in of the rank and file.
Operational Projects: Defining the projects that actually move the needle for a modern department.
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In this episode of Project Command, Peter Younes sits down with Odean "Dean" Maye to talk about what it actually takes to scale ideas, teams, and technology in the real world. Dean shares lessons from startups, enterprise leadership, AWS, finance, and AI, then breaks down how leaders can separate hype from real business value.
The conversation dives into practical AI adoption, why most organizations still have not figured it out, and how agentic AI is changing the way work gets done. Dean also explains why leaders should start with outcomes instead of tools, how to think like a systems builder, and why strong teams need a clear scoreboard. This is a grounded conversation on leadership, innovation, project execution, and the future of AI for organizations trying to move from curiosity to action.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odeanmaye
Acuvero: https://www.acuvero.com
Autonomous: https://atonomos.io - Laat meer zien
