Jake dives deep into the multifaceted career of Gary Oldham, a veteran in public safety with experience as a police officer, dispatcher, and global strategist at Apple. Gary shares the evolution of his career—from the front lines of law enforcement to managing major technological transitions in emergency services, and now running his own consulting firm, Accelerant 4. This episode is rich with leadership insights, practical innovation in emergency response, and a strong advocacy for tech that genuinely serves first responders.

Introduction and Gary's Background (00:00 – 06:00)

• Early start in public safety

• Police Explorer to full-time officer at 18

• Initial career motivations

Transition from Police Work to Dispatch (06:00 – 15:00)

• Burnout and cynicism in law enforcement

• Finding new purpose in dispatch

• Differences between fire and police public perception

Challenges in Emergency Dispatch Systems (15:00 – 27:00)

• Evolution from manual dispatch to Pro-QA

• Misuse of 911 and liability concerns

• Complexity of triage and human judgment

Public Sector to Private Sector Shift (27:00 – 36:00)

• Transitioning to project management roles

• Working with San Diego and navigating bureaucracy

• Managing layoffs and organizational changes

Tech Leadership and Working with Vendors (36:00 – 45:00)

• Leading expert teams as a non-expert

• Avoiding micromanagement

• Managing expectations in large-scale projects

Joining Apple and Building Public Safety Programs (45:00 – 1:00:00)

• Overcoming skepticism and 0% market share

• Building global police summits

• Influencing product features like CarPlay integration

Creating Impact and Culture at Apple (1:00:00 – 1:12:00)

• Apple’s unique culture and hiring practices

• Commitment to privacy and ethical leadership

• Working with first responders worldwide

Launch of Accelerant 4 and Consulting Focus (1:12:00 – 1:20:00)

• Why Gary left Apple

• Helping companies better engage with public safety

• Tailoring technology to solve real-world problems

Leadership Insights and Future of Public Safety Tech (1:20:00 – 1:30:00)

• Balancing team dynamics and technical talent

• Evolving responder technology

• Building realistic, scalable solutions

Gary Oldham is a seasoned public safety expert with over three decades of experience. His career spans police work, dispatch leadership, and tech innovation. At Apple, he led global public safety strategy, taking their market share from 0% to 70%. Now, he runs Accelerant 4, a consultancy helping companies and agencies implement effective, meaningful technology solutions in emergency services.
Website: accelerant4.com

Chief Rob Ramirez returns to the show to talk about one of the most unique opportunities in modern firefighting: helping build a brand-new fire department from the ground up. He shares stories of leadership, culture, training, and staying sharp after leaving the fire truck.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

[0:00 – 0:07] Intro & Career Leap
Rob returns to the podcast, recounting his jump from 20+ years in operations to a command role in a new department.

[0:07 – 0:14] Why Start Now? The Motivation Behind the Move
Rob explains the rare opportunity to help shape something from scratch and how it aligned with his career goals.

[0:14 – 0:21] Starting from Zero: Gear, Trucks, and Policies
Details about acquiring vehicles, setting SOPs, navigating town bureaucracy, and learning fast.

[0:21 – 0:28] Building the Team: Hiring & Leadership Philosophy
Rob outlines their recruitment strategy, training plans, and what type of people they’re looking for.

[0:28 – 0:35] Laying the Training Foundation
Why training won’t be optional. Rob discusses shift-based training, officer development, and ongoing standards.

[0:35 – 0:42] The Isolation of Leadership
What it feels like to be out of the action, staying connected to fireground competency, and the temptation to slip into admin-only thinking.

[0:42 – 0:49] How Culture is Built: People, Trust, and Accountability
The role of informal leaders, gatekeepers of culture, and using character-first hiring to prevent future problems.

[0:49 – 0:56] Handling Mistakes & Measuring Growth
After-action reviews, creating safe learning environments, and how Rob approaches performance evaluation.

[0:56 – 1:03] Search Urgency, Real-World Fire Talk & Caring About the Job
Rob and the host dissect a recent fireground situation involving victim removal, and what it reveals about urgency and culture.

[1:03 – 1:11] Mentorship, Mastery, and Long-Term Vision
Mentorship models, when to promote, and how the right people and structure create long-term excellence.

Key Moments

• “You can’t read your own label from inside the jar.”

• Rob’s final fire call as a captain, ending with gratitude and fireground clarity.

• The skunk-in-the-parking-lot moment—and what it teaches about perspective.

• “Our people are our greatest ambassadors.”

Resources & Mentions:

• • https://www.instagram.com/robramirez1075_official/?hl=en
  • https://www.jupiter.fl.us/firerescue

  
  

• Guest Info: Chief Rob Ramirez

  • Division Chief of Training, Jupiter Fire Rescue

  • Founder of Mayday Mindset

  • National fire instructor and speaker

Dr. David Griffin shares his transformation from minor league baseball player to fire service leader, shaped by one of the most devastating tragedies in firefighting history—the 2007 Sofa Superstore Fire in Charleston, SC. Griffin recounts the incident in vivid detail, reflecting on how it reshaped his view of leadership, mental health, and responsibility. Nearly two decades later, he continues to advocate for cultural change, peer support, and meaningful leadership within emergency services. This episode offers a candid look at trauma, recovery, and the evolution of a career dedicated to honoring the past while improving the future.

Episode Breakdown & Timestamps:

• [0:00] Introduction and Background of Dr. David Griffin
  Overview of Griffin’s career and his shift from baseball to firefighting.

• [0:02] Journey to the Fire Service
  How a conversation with a fire chief led to an unexpected but lifelong career.

• [0:07] Training and Early Career Reflections
  Discussion on early training gaps and how outdated practices shaped his outlook.

• [0:10] Mental Health and Organizational Change
  The fire service’s growing focus on emotional well-being and leadership accountability.

• [0:18] Sofa Superstore Fire Incident
  A detailed, moment-by-moment account of the tragic fire that claimed nine lives.

• [0:27] Aftermath and Recovery
  The emotional toll, public reaction, and the beginning of personal and organizational healing.

• [0:34] Leadership Evolution and Legacy
  Post-incident changes and the long-term impact of the Charleston Nine on policy and culture.

• [0:40] Therapy, Speaking, and Personal Impact
  Griffin’s battle with PTSD, the healing role of therapy, and the emotional cost of public speaking.

• [0:51] Principles of Leadership
  The five core values that now guide his leadership style and mentorship philosophy.

Key Moments:

• First-hand description of the 27-minute window that changed Charleston Fire forever.

• Reflections on leading with humility and empowering the next generation.

• The mental and emotional challenges of revisiting trauma through public speaking.

• How the loss of fellow firefighters spurred sweeping department-wide changes.

• Exploration of non-traditional therapies and long-term recovery strategies.

Resources & Mentions:

• Rowley Report (Sofa Superstore Fire investigation)

• Upcoming book: 27 Minutes by Dr. David Griffin

• Waves of Recovery (Ibogaine therapy documentary)

• Related discussions: Travis Howes’ podcast on trauma

Guest Information:
Dr. David Griffin
Assistant Chief, Charleston Fire Department
Author and national speaker on leadership and mental health in public safety
Website: drdavidgriffin.com
Instagram: @drdavidgriffin