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In this episode of Project Command, we tackle a wide range of questions that fire service leaders have to deal with every day: How should we think about staffing models, major capital purchases, hospital delays, education, budgets, and new initiatives? We start with the 24/72 shift and the ongoing conversation about how fire departments structure their workforce. We also look at the cost of fire engines and why capital planning matters when departments are making decisions that can affect their budgets for years. From there, we discuss hospital offload times, the impact of delays on EMS operations, and what the research tells us about the problem. We also ask whether a college degree is necessary for leadership in the fire service and what education can, and cannot, tell us about someone's ability to lead. Finally, we talk about one of the hardest jobs for a fire service leader: deciding what to cut from the budget. We close with a discussion about choosing the right target when launching a new initiative. Before you start solving a problem, are you sure you're aiming at the right problem? It's another wide-ranging Project Command conversation about making better decisions with limited resources, understanding the data, and thinking beyond the immediate problem.

In this Q&A episode of Project Command, we tackle some of the biggest questions facing the modern fire service. What can we learn from projects that failed, and what can those failures teach us about planning, leadership, communication, and execution? We also look at firefighter retention and what the data actually tells us about why firefighters stay, why they leave, and what fire departments can do about it. The conversation also takes a look at recent safety concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and the importance of understanding both the opportunities and risks that come with rapidly evolving technology. Finally, we ask a difficult question for the fire service: Are we promoting the right people?

With so many powerful AI platforms available, which one is actually the best? In this episode of Project Command, I compare four of the biggest AI platforms: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. I share my experience using each one, where I think they excel, where they fall short, and which tools I find myself reaching for depending on the task. Rather than declaring one universal winner, we look at how these models differ when it comes to research, writing, problem-solving, working with documents, brainstorming, and everyday productivity. If you are trying to figure out which AI platform deserves a place in your workflow, this episode will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each and decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Firefighters are often promoted because they excel operationally, but success in administration requires an entirely different set of skills. Budgeting, procurement, program management, technology, human resources, communication, and organizational leadership are rarely taught before someone is expected to use them. In this episode of Project Command, we examine the administrative skills gap in the fire service and the stress placed on people who are handed complex projects without enough training, authority, or support. We also discuss two new initiatives designed to close that gap. The Institutional Knowledge Series will allow employees to share lessons and expertise through recorded presentations that become part of a searchable training library. A second initiative will explore using Coursera or a similar online learning platform to provide professional certificates in the modern administrative skills fire service leaders need. The fire service invests heavily in operational readiness. It is time to bring that same commitment to preparing people for the work between emergencies.

In this encore episode of Project Command, we break down one of the most important parts of managing any project: metrics. What should you measure? How do you know whether a project is actually making progress? Which numbers provide meaningful insight, and which ones only create the appearance of control? This episode explains what project metrics are, how to select measurements that align with your goals, and how to track progress throughout the life of a project. You will also learn how to use metrics to identify problems early, communicate clearly with stakeholders, support better decisions, and demonstrate whether your project delivered the intended results. Whether you are leading a major organizational initiative or managing a smaller internal project, the right metrics can help you replace assumptions with evidence and keep the work moving in the right direction.

In this Project Command AMA episode, Peter answers professional and personal questions covering artificial intelligence, project management, career transitions, and life outside the fire service. He discusses new updates to ChatGPT and Claude, how he is using AI to build forecasting and prediction models, and lessons learned while transitioning from field operations into an administrative role. He also shares strategies for managing scope creep, provides updates on his current projects, recommends books, and answers personal questions about mountain climbing and other interests.

Deploying new equipment in the fire service takes far more than purchasing a new tool and placing it on the apparatus. Successful implementation requires planning, communication, training, evaluation, and a clear understanding of how that equipment fits into operations. In this Project Command Rewind episode, we break down everything you need to know about deploying new equipment the right way. From identifying the problem you are trying to solve, building stakeholder buy-in, selecting the right equipment, developing training plans, creating policies, conducting pilots, gathering feedback, and executing a full rollout, every step matters. Whether you are introducing a new hand tool, technology platform, apparatus, PPE, or a major operational change, the principles are the same. A successful deployment is not measured by when the equipment arrives. It is measured by whether your people understand it, trust it, and use it effectively. If your department struggles with getting new initiatives across the finish line, this episode provides a practical roadmap for turning ideas into operational success.

Welcome to the first Project Command Mailbag, where Peter Younes answers questions submitted by listeners from across the fire service. This wide-ranging Q&A explores artificial intelligence, leadership, project management, technical debt, and the challenges of leading complex initiatives in today's fire service. Peter discusses how AI is changing the profession, why technical debt can quietly become one of an organization's biggest liabilities, strategies for leading through resistance and uncertainty, and practical lessons learned from managing large-scale projects. He also answers a more personal question: what career he thinks he would have pursued if he hadn't become a firefighter. If you're interested in leadership, innovation, technology, and building a stronger organization, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.

Technology is reshaping every aspect of the fire service, from emergency response and inspections to data management and community risk reduction. In this episode of Project Command, Jill Cotton joins the show to discuss how emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation are transforming fire prevention and fire department operations. Jill shares her perspective on the future of the fire service, the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, and why continuous learning is essential for today's fire service professionals. We also discuss leadership, personal growth, adapting to change, and how firefighters and fire officers can prepare themselves for a future that will look very different from the one we know today. Whether you're interested in fire prevention, technology, leadership, or professional development, this conversation offers practical insights into where the fire service is headed and how to stay ahead of the curve.

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.

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.

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 change Project 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.

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.

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: • How the fire service has changed over the past several decades • Leadership lessons that stand the test of time • Managing organizational change in a paramilitary environment • Building support for large initiatives • Overcoming resistance and pushback • Leading complex projects and strategic efforts • Communicating vision and maintaining momentum • Developing future leaders within the organization If 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.

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 environments This episode sets the tone for the entire international series — 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.