Perspectives on Leadership: Lessons on Leadership, Legacy, and Life After the Fireground

Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Perspectives on Leadership: Lessons on Leadership, Legacy, and Life After the Fireground

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Shaw, Jupiter (FL) Fire Rescue, sits down with retired Division Chief/Paramedic Chase Sargent (ret.), Virginia Beach (VA) Fire and Rescue, to explore the often-overlooked challenges and rewards of fire service leadership. Drawing from decades of experience—from Virginia Beach Fire Rescue to counterterrorism operations abroad—Sargent shares practical guidance on setting clear expectations, building trust, and navigating the complexities of managing people. Their conversation touches on the importance of viewing leadership as a stewardship of culture and legacy, emphasizing that firefighting is a people-centered mission where every officer contributes to shaping future generations. The conversation also confronts difficult topics such as managing challenging personnel, adapting to rapid technological change, and preparing for life beyond the fire service.