The Richmond Fire Dialogues

Captain Michael Wilkins sits down with Captain Travis Stokes, Lieutenant Kejuan Donahue and Lieutenant Scott Koppelman to discuss the importance of education and training in the fire service.  Note: This episode was recorded in late September, so Lieutenant Donahue has since been reassigned to the Fire Training Academy and Lieutenant Koppelman has since been reassigned to Engine 17.

Captain Michael Wilkins sits down with Battalion Chief Michael Smith, Captain William Spindle and Lieutenant Clinton Lewis to discuss the Richmond Fire Department's prevention efforts at the station company level.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin, Captain Jamie Potter, Lieutenant Kevin Knight and Psychologist Nicole Morgan sit down to discuss mental health. They uncover tools to cope and combat mental health within the fire service. These tools range from fitness activities, dieting, hobbies to identifying a strong support system.   During Mental Health Awareness Month, we are glad to help raise awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, professionals and communities.

In this episode, Captain Jamie Potter sits with Captain Mark Ryals to discuss a call he attended during shift change. Captain Ryals briefly discusses his background with the department before detailing the importance of pre-planning. What he likes to call a "combat pre-plan". He talks about the challenges he was faced with on this call and how he was able to overcome them with the help of his crew and his preparation. 

Assistant Chief Segal, Battalion Chief Pulliam, and Program Manager Robert Brown sit down to discuss Battalion Performance Metrics. This program has been implemented for a year and since has grown tremendously. Beginning with basics like turnout times expanding to high-impact leave and incident time data. They discuss how the data assists in understanding what is effective and ineffective.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin and Lieutenant Travis Stokes sit down with retired Chief Joseph Jenkins to discuss his transition from an Army career to a career in the fire service. He speaks about how supportive his Lieutenant was when he faced daily struggles within the department and community as a black firefighter. Jenkins shares many stories about his career, being a department baseball team member, and more. He continues to be an inspiration to many of our members at the Richmond Fire Department.

Lieutenant Mike Wilkins sits down with Battalion Chief Rodney Epps and Captain Stacey Harris to discuss elevator emergencies. They briefly speak about their tenure within the Richmond Fire Department and then shift the conversation to their most memorable elevator experiences. They cover how hands-on these incidents can be, call frequency (984 incidents since 2017) and the importance of preparedness. Safety is always priority and that is why the concept of Lockout/Tagout is such a crucial step in elevator emergency incidents.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Lieutenant Brandon Bullock to discuss his rise through the ranks (he is being promoted to Captain!) and what it means to him to be second-generation Richmond firefighter. Born and raised in the City of Richmond, Lieutenant Bullock pretty much grew up in our fire department. He talks about how his experience as one of our first Fire Explorers helped shape his future, what it is like to be a Muslim in the fire service, and why he feels his time at several different fire departments in the state of Virginia has made him a better firefighter.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Metro Richmond Flying Squad Chief Steve Korb to discuss his career and his role as the head of the region’s volunteer rehab unit. The retired firefighter was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and put in more than 25 years of service in Miami Beach, Florida – but he did spend about nine months here in the City of Richmond in 1984. Chief Korb talks about what drew him back to central Virginia, how his squad has grown to support multiple fire departments, and why he feels this kind of volunteerism is so important.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Lieutenant Travis Stokes to discuss his career and how his pursuit of higher education has been a priority. He is currently assigned to Health and Safety, based in RFD Headquarters on East Franklin Street. Lieutenant Stokes talks about why he wanted to pursue a doctorate degree in health sciences, how he did it while working as firefighter in the City of Richmond, and what has motivated him to stay. He also discusses what he’s done over the past 18 months to help lead our COVID-19 response.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Firefighter Pete Walsh to discuss his career and how it is connected to the importance of his faith. He is currently assigned to Engine 11's B shift. Engine 11 is based on North 28th Street in the City's Church Hill neighborhood. Firefighter Walsh talks about why he joined the fire department after years as a paramedic in Richmond, VA, how his faith plays a pivotal role in his career, and what he & his family do to stay involved in their community.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Firefighter Amber Yung to discuss her career and why she joined the Richmond, VA Fire Department two years ago. She is currently assigned to Engine 21's B shift. Engine 21 is based on Richmond Highway in the City's Southside. Firefighter Yung talks about why her family moved from Hong Kong when she was a child, how her dream was to be a professional hockey player, and her path to the fire service.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Firefighter Jalil Davis to discuss his career and why he joined the Richmond, VA Fire Department three years ago. He is currently assigned to Engine 14's A shift. Engine 14 is based on Hawthorne Avenue in Richmond's Northside. Firefighter Davis talks about growing up in Richmond and how his firefighting career was changed his life.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Firefighter Brianna Robinson to discuss her career and why she joined the Richmond, VA Fire Department. She is currently assigned to Engine 11's C shift. Engine 11 is based on North 28th Street in the City's Church Hill neighborhood. Firefighter Robinson talks about how someone in the fire service sparked her interest in the career, why she chose to pursue it, and what it is like to be an openly gay female firefighter in the department.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Firefighter Kejuan Donahue his career and why he joined the Richmond, VA Fire Department as a lateral. Prior to joining RFD, Firefighter Donahue was serving as a fire captain at another fire department in Central Virginia. He talked about his decision to make the switch. Firefighter Donahue is currently assigned to Truck 8's A shift. Truck 8 is based on Broad Rock Boulevard in Richmond's Southside.

Battalion Chief Bailey Martin sits down with Battalion Chief Raymond Neville and Captain Hallie Neville to discuss their careers and balancing that with family. The husband and wife met through RFD and have two children together. They talk about how they've made it work - both professionally and personally.