In this conversation, Daniel Sundahl (DanSun) speaks with Stewart Kreltszheim, the Assistant Chief with Fire Rescue Victoria in Australia, about leadership in the fire service, the importance of mental health, and the challenges faced by first responders. They discuss the structure of fire services in Victoria, challenges in leadership, and the significance of purpose and fulfillment in one’s career. Stewart shares insights on the evolution of leadership styles, the stresses of managing personnel, and the importance of teaching new leaders. They also touch on trauma management, maintaining mental health, and the transition into retirement, emphasizing the value of post-traumatic growth and resilience.Takeaways• Leadership in fire services has evolved over the years.• Understanding the structure of fire services is crucial for effective leadership.• Charity work, like the No Roads Expeditions Foundation, provides a sense of purpose.• Mental health and well-being are essential for first responders.• Leadership challenges include managing diverse generations in the workforce.• The stresses of leadership often go unrecognized.• Teaching new leaders requires a focus on values and expectations.• Trauma can manifest as anger in first responders.• Regular mental health check-ins are vital for leaders.• Post-traumatic growth can lead to personal and professional development.Links:LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/stewart-kreltszheim-2b2330242No Roads Expeditions Foundationhttps://noroadsfoundation.com/https://www.facebook.com/noroadsfoundation/Books:Art of War by Sun Tzu – https://a.co/d/4KeP1bELegacy by James Keer – https://a.co/d/0NaljBfIgnite Magazine – https://www.fireandemergency.nz/assets/Documents/News-and-media/Ignite-Magazine-Issue-6.pdfChapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Stuart Kreltszheim03:00 Fire Service Structure in Victoria, Australia06:13 Kokoda Trail and Charity Work08:48 Leadership Challenges in Fire Services11:59 Generational Changes in Firefighters14:55 Stresses of Leadership in Emergency Services17:57 Teaching Leadership and the Bell Curve Model21:02 Managing Trauma and Employee Well-being24:01 Personal Mental Health Practices26:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts31:16 Balancing Life and Responsibilities34:16 The Identity of a Firefighter39:00 Navigating Career Transitions42:38 Leadership in Firefighting48:14 Lessons from Literature52:12 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience