Breaking barriers in the fire service isn’t about titles—it’s about trust, courage, and consistency over time. In this episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Chief Trisha Wolford, one of only three women to ever serve as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, to explore what it truly takes to lead in a profession shaped by tradition, pressure, and high expectations.Chief Wolford shares her journey from growing up in a fire service family in Rockford, Illinois, to becoming Fire Chief in Anne Arundel County and now serving at the national level. She reflects on earning respect in a male-dominated profession, leading through relational trust, and making difficult decisions when public scrutiny, social media pressure, and organizational complexity collide.This conversation goes beyond breaking glass ceilings. Chief Wolford speaks candidly about leadership fatigue, decision-making under fire, navigating crisis, and staying grounded while carrying responsibility that never really turns off. From mentoring the next generation to shaping national policy and advocating for the future of the fire service, her story offers a grounded, honest look at principled leadership.Whether you’re a firefighter, a chief, or a leader responsible for people in high-stakes environments, this episode delivers timeless lessons on courage, humility, trust, and what it means to leave the profession better than you found it.IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Trailer: A Trailblazing Fire Service Leader01:16 – Growing Up in a Fire Service Family03:57 – From Graphic Design to the Fire Academy05:39 – Finding Purpose Beyond a Paycheck06:39 – Why Character Matters in the Fire Service07:04 – Defining Moments That Shaped Her Leadership07:54 – Taking the Risk: Leaving Home to Grow as a Leader10:41 – Lessons Learned in Bozeman, Montana12:59 – Staying Grounded as a Fire Chief15:44 – Managing Decision Fatigue & Burnout17:27 – Stepping Into the IAFC Presidency19:23 – Leading at the National & International Level22:25 – Sustainability, Funding, and the Future of the Fire Service26:49 – Change Fatigue, Technology, and AI30:08 – Empathy, Adaptability, and Human-Centered Leadership33:13 – Crucible Moments: Social Media, Crisis, and Public Scrutiny38:24 – Standing by Your People Under Fire44:30 – Leadership Accountability & Learning from Failure47:42 – What the Next Generation of Leaders Must Develop51:22 – Saying No, Innovation, and Focus56:13 – Leaving It Better: Legacy, Service, and Paying It Forward01:02:02 – Closing Reflections on Leadership & TrustABOUT CHIEF WOLFORD:Trisha L. Wolford is the Fire Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland and currently serves as President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)—one of only three women in the organization’s history to hold the role.As Fire Chief, Wolford leads one of the largest combination fire departments in the country, serving more than 600,000 residents across 580 square miles and 31 fire stations. She is responsible for over 1,000 career firefighters, approximately 500 operational volunteer firefighters, nearly 1,000 administrative volunteers, fire communications personnel, and civilian support staff.Chief Wolford began her career with Anne Arundel County in 2006 as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2011, she was assigned to the Fire Marshal’s Office and later became a sworn law enforcement officer after completing the Anne Arundel County Police Academy. She served in fire and explosives investigations, promoted to Lieutenant, and spent four years as a Tactical Medic with the SWAT program.Her executive leadership experience includes serving as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in Bozeman, Montana, and Assistant Fire Chief overseeing operations for the Spokane Fire Department. In 2019, she returned to Anne Arundel County to become Fire Chief of her home department.Chief Wolford holds a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd University, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, and an MBA. She is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, the IAFC Fire Service Executive Development Institute, and holds CFO and CFM designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In addition to her IAFC presidency, she serves on the FirstNet Authority Board and was appointed in 2025 to Maryland’s State EMS Advisory Council.LINKS & RESOURCES:- IAFC | Web (https://www.iafc.org/) - IAFC | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iafc/) - IAFC | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firechiefs/)- IAFC | Instagram- FDNY | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-city-fire-department/) - Chief Wolford | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisha-wolford-4a716bb0/) LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible) - Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj) - ...
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Feb 6 202651 mins
37 mins