5: Fire Captain II Tim Werle

Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Captain II/Paramedic Tim Werle as they discuss mentorship in the fire service, practical leadership lessons, and the growing role of GIS and intelligence tools on the modern fireground. Together, they explore how to understand people more deeply—reading personality types, building strong interpersonal skills, and leading with clarity under pressure. Tim and I originally met at a California Fire Chaplain Association, Advanced Chaplain Training class at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside, California, in March 2015. We have been friends ever since, and I consider Tim one of my valued mentors, not only in the fire service but also in life.Biography:Tim Werle, a seasoned firefighter, incident management specialist, Urban Search and Rescue Technician, and paramedic, boasts an impressive career spanning 32 years. As a Fire Captain for the Los Angeles Fire Department, Tim's leadership has been instrumental in handling critical emergencies.His expertise extends to serving on Incident Management Teams (IMTs) as an Incident Commander, Plans Chief, Engine Boss, and as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist for over a decade, enhancing emergency response through technology.Tim's commitment extends beyond the frontlines; he collaborated with UC San Diego on the innovative WIFIRE tool in 2015, aiding in wildfire rate prediction, and went on to design the FIRIS program Fusion Center, advancing California's emergency response capabilities.Currently, Tim owns Initial Incident Support, LLC, providing data and intelligence Fusion Centers, ensuring swift information dissemination in critical situations. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/5-fire-captain-tim-werle