FDIC Conference Director Diane Rothschild recently spoke with Chief of Training Brian Brush, Midwest City (OK) Fire Department, who is keynoting on “An Unquenchable Faith” at the FDIC 2023 Opening Ceremony Day 2, about the whole FDIC International “experience.”
Diane Rothschild: How did you get into instructing in general?
Brian Brush: From my parents to teachers, coaches to co-workers, I have always paid very close attention to and appreciated those who took time to help me learn a new concept, skill, or system. This was especially meaningful when they did it out of a true concern for me or as an extension of their passion for what they did. For me, instructing is not only something I love to do, but also it is a duty to reinvest in others and pass on all that was shared with me out of respect for and a continuation of all those who invested in me.
DR: What sets your experience at FDIC International apart from attending other conferences?
BB: In every possible way FDIC exceeds expectations every time. We can certainly speak to it being the largest event with the most classes, vendors, and firefighters, but those are numbers. We can talk about the roster and resumes of all the instructors, and that is powerful, but the greatest part of the experience is the things that can’t be measured–the motivation, the interaction, the reflection, the challenge, and the inspiration that comes with it. FDIC changed my entire view of the fire service and my professional direction in it 13 years ago in an incredibly positive and powerful way, and it continues to every year I go back.
MORE BRIAN BRUSH
- Tactical Supervision for Known Rescues
- Hose Bundle Hookup
- Civilian Rescue: The Reason We Exist
- First-Arriving Engine: A Progressive Fire Attack Plan
DR: What was your reaction to being selected as a speaker at the Opening Ceremony?
BB: There just isn’t any way to describe the honor, pride, respect, and fear that hit me all at once. I’ve been in the audience for 12 years of Opening Ceremonies, and I can recall moments, messages, and motivations from every single keynote I saw. I’ve gone back and watched FDIC keynotes from years prior, and I share them with other firefighters on a regular basis. I can’t think of a greater opportunity as an instructor to know that I have been asked to join that company, meet that expectation, and make that impact. It is very intimidating, but I have been told that the greatest firefighters are the ones who want the toughest assignment, and they want it every time. Wish me luck!
DR: What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the fire service today and why?
BB: I think it is maintaining a sense of vigilance in our preparation, and operations. The world is filling with distractions at an incredible pace; for us, it is both socially and professionally. This isn’t to say that the extra tasks we take on as a service aren’t important; most are critical to our community, but our abilities and attention can only be stretched so far. We as fire service leaders and as peers need to message our mission now more than ever and remind ourselves and those around us why we are here, who we are here for, and that in everything we do we have a chance to make a difference.
DR: What is your “takeaway” from a week at FDIC International?
BB: In one word, it is inspiration.
DR: Who are your FDIC International role models and why?
BB: This is an impossible task; if I were to even attempt a list, I would miss way too many. FDIC is home to fire service legends, mentors of mine directly and indirectly, and where I get to see some of my best friends who are role models. FDIC is also where some of the best in the fire service go to be students as well. Those who are actively shaping and influencing the fire service and are humble enough to seek out new information, techniques, or perspectives are role models. Even all those who work just to put FDIC on and their mission to bring the fire service together every year for this are role models.
DR: What advice do you have for first-time attendees?
BB: Make the most of it! Get your hands on the latest and greatest products and apparatus. Get as many reps as you can in the hands-on classes. Meet an instructor for a cup of coffee to get some follow-up after a class, exchange e-mails and information with other students, do the 5K or the 9/11 stair climb. The greatest week in the fire service can lead to a great year and a great career if you set out to make the most of it.
Opening Ceremony Day 2, Thursday, April 27
Keynoter:
Chief of Training Brian Brush, Midwest City (OK) Fire Department
“An Unquenchable Faith”
In a time when society is experiencing division, a workforce is seeing great resignation, and most are suffering an attention recession, we must be very clear, not here, not us. An unquenchable fire cannot be extinguished, and an unquenchable thirst cannot be satisfied. It is and always has been our unquenchable faith in mission and each other that builds such trust and belief inside and outside of our profession. Engaging, empowering, and challenging the mission driven among us is critical to our survival in service to our communities and one another.
Bio: Brian Brush is a 26-year veteran of the fire service. The breadth of his experience spans from rural volunteer to metro-sized departments. He is the training chief for the Midwest City (OK) Fire Department. He is a member of the FDIC advisory board, an FDIC HOT and classroom instructor for more than 10 years, and a contributing Fire Engineering author. He has a masters degree from Oklahoma State University School of Fire Protection and Emergency Management and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program.
