Training is one of the most critical, and often underappreciated, functions in the fire service. It shapes performance, builds confidence, and ultimately determines how well we serve our communities when it matters most.

In this episode, I’m joined by Chief Lisa Pine, State Fire Training Director with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, to talk about her unique path into the fire service and her perspective on leadership, training, and building stronger departments across Colorado.

Lisa shares how she transitioned from a career in environmental planning into the fire service later in life, what she learned stepping into a leadership role early, and why she believes training is the foundation of any successful department.

We also talk about the connection between leadership and training, how to develop people with different strengths and abilities, and why leaders must remain open-minded as the fire service continues to evolve.

🔥 Tune in to hear:

✅ Lisa’s unconventional path into the fire service

✅ Why training is the most important role in a fire department

✅ How leadership and training intersect, but aren’t the same

✅ The importance of adapting to different strengths within a team

✅ Challenges facing training across rural and resource-limited departments

✅ Why funding and prioritizing training remains a constant struggle

Lisa also shares her perspective on the future of the fire service, including how departments will need to adapt to changing resources, advancing technology, and shifting workforce dynamics while still delivering on their mission.

If you're focused on developing your people, improving training, or thinking about the future of your department, this conversation offers practical insight from a leader working at the center of it across Colorado.