FRISCO, Texas — FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift podcast was awarded first place in the International Association of Fire Fighters Media Awards in the Best Feature/Series (Broadcast) category, celebrating content that explores the firefighting profession and its impact on individuals and communities.
Better Every Shift focuses on helping its listeners strive for continuous improvement in leadership roles, health and wellness goals, enhanced fireground skills or similar areas of personal development for firefighters at all levels of their career. Hosted by Madison (Wis.) Lt. Aaron Zamzow and FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett, the show regularly features fire service leaders and other inspirational guests who encourage firefighters to get better – every day, every call, every shift.
Lt. Zamzow reflected on the honor and finding inspiration in the Better Every Shift “misfit nation,” as he refers to show listeners: “I am incredibly proud and grateful to receive this award from the IAFF. This honor reflects the unique stories we’ve shared and the strong community we’ve built. It reminds me that, as we like to say on the podcast, ‘great things never came from comfort zones.’ This recognition inspires me to embrace the Better Every Shift misfits who believe in learning something, doing something, and sharing something to make you and those around you Better Every Shift.”
According to the IAFF, entries in the Best Feature/Series (Broadcast) category cover a wide range of topics, including human-interest stories, behind-the-scenes looks at fire departments, and explorations of firefighting challenges and innovations. The podcasts selected to represent Better Every Shift underscore the wide range of topics addressed on the show:
- FDNY Captain (ret.) Frank Leto unpacks the power of peer support and how firefighters helping firefighters became the clear path forward for FDNY members in the wake of 9/11.
- Former Milpitas (Calif.) and CAL FIRE Chief Clare Frank details her unique path from seasonal firefighter to municipal fire chief, and how she navigated the early hurdles of being a woman in the fire service.
- San Diego Captain Ben Vernon shares the emotional story of how a “routine” medical call quickly escalated to a near-death experience when he was stabbed on the job.
- San Francisco Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac digs into her love of aggressive fire attack.
- Dr. Derrick Edwards – a firefighter, professor and counselor – details psychological concepts that impact firefighter work and home life.
Better Every Shift has aired 113 episodes as of mid-February 2024. New episodes of the Better Every Shift podcast are released every Thursday, with the audio version on all major podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, among others), plus a video version on FireRescue1.com and FireRescue1’s YouTube channel.
