Brian Pisarek is the Advanced Wildlife Instructor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and he is also the Structured Fire Chief for the City of Aitkin, Minnesota. Brian has a B.S. in Forestry and has an extensive list of fire qualifications, too! In today’s episode, Brian shares a little bit about how to keep yourself safe during a wildland fire, how to best manage family expectations when you’ve got to abruptly cancel plans to fight a fire, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:50] A quick intro about Brian’s background.
[3:30] How did Brian first get started in his fire career?
[7:15] Be hungry for new opportunities.
[8:00] Firefighting is dangerous work; how does Brian manage the expectations of his friends and family?
[10:00] Brian has had a few close calls when it comes to fighting fire. It’s important to stay up-to-date with safety information and listen closely to your safety officer.
[10:50] What kind of work does Brian do now?
[11:35] What’s unique about the firefighting community?
[12:55] How can young and aspiring professionals get started in this career?
[14:40] Communication is what clogs the system. A good leader needs to know how to communicate clearly and effectively.
[18:35] What’s the difference in the work environment when it comes to wildland fire vs. structured fire?
[20:35] What kinds of mentors has Brian had over the years?
[22:45] How does the fire community manage their work/life balance?
[26:20] What is Brian most proud of about his career?
Mentioned in This Episode: