In this episode of Critical Conversations, Nick Delia sits down with Eriks Gabliks, Superintendent of the National Fire Academy, to explore leadership, training, and the extraordinary opportunities available to fire and emergency services professionals across the country.

Eriks shares how the National Fire Academy serves as a cornerstone for advancing the fire service - offering world-class education, leadership development, and technical training programs that shape the future of emergency response. From executive leadership courses to specialized technical curricula, the NFA provides pathways for firefighters, officers, safety professionals, and allied responders to grow their skills, expand their impact, and bring best-in-class practices back to their organizations.

We discuss how investing in professional development through the NFA strengthens individual leaders, elevates organizational performance, and ultimately enhances community safety. Whether you’re an emerging leader, a seasoned chief officer, or a safety professional supporting high-risk industries, this conversation highlights why the National Fire Academy remains one of the most powerful resources available to the emergency services community.

🎧 Tune in for insights on leadership, learning, and how the NFA is helping prepare the next generation of fire service and emergency management leaders.

Deputy Chief Mark Waters joins us for a deep dive into the leadership tools and resources every firefighter and fire officer should know. With more than 35+ years in the fire service - including 27 years as Deputy Chief of the New London Fire Department - Mark brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it takes to lead.

He shares the leadership books he returns to often, the training models that have influenced his approach, and the lessons he’s learned through decades of on-the-job experience. Whether you’re a new firefighter or a seasoned leader, this episode offers guidance to help you grow, mentor, and inspire the teams around you.

Join us for the first of our 2025 Leadership Series episodes of Critical Conversations. In this episode, we sit down with one of the fire service’s respected leaders - Chief Dennis L. Rubin - for a discussion on Leadership Basics and what it truly means to lead in today’s fire and emergency service organizations.With over 35 years of experience spanning every rank from firefighter/EMT to Fire Chief, Chief Rubin brings unmatched insight into leadership, command, and safety. His impressive career includes serving as Chief of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, past President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and chair of the National Wingspread Strategic Planning Conference for over 30 years.Chief Rubin holds multiple degrees in Organizational Leadership and Fire Administration, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and the author of several acclaimed textbooks including Rube’s Rules for Survival, D.C. Fire, and It’s Always About Leadership.This live broadcast will explore the foundational principles that define great leaders - from integrity and accountability to decision-making under pressure - and how these lessons apply across every level of service.