About this episode

Chuck DeSmith discusses the importance of peer support and resiliency in the fire service.

Chuck DeSmith, a retired Deputy Fire Chief with 35 years of service at Renton Regional Fire Authority in Washington draws from decades of leadership experience sharing his passion for peer support and the importance of modeling resiliency within the fire service. He challenges today’s leaders to move beyond treating peer support as a program, and instead embed it into the organization’s operating budget with clear policy and long-term commitment. This conversation offers practical insight into building a culture that truly supports the people behind the badge.

People in this episode

Host: Berlin Maza

Guest: Chuck DeSmith

Topics covered

• resiliency
• peer support
• leadership
• fire service
• organizational culture

Keywords

• resiliency
• peer support
• leadership
• fire service
• organizational culture
• mental health
• first responders

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Renton Regional Fire Authority

Places: Washington

More episodes of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table

• Ep. 96: Trisha Wolford, Fire Chief - Perspective & Gratitude · April 12, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Ep. 95: Mike Dugan, Captain (ret.) - It's Your Turn · March 24, 2026 · 1h 10m
• Ep. 93: Paul Conway, Assistant Chief (ret.) - A Life Full of Mistakes · February 22, 2026 · 1h 21m
• Ep. 92: Mike Gagliano, Captain (ret.) - Remember Your Mission · February 13, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Ep. 91: Tyrral Quinn, Captain - Vulnerability & Failures · January 30, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Ep. 90: Randy Chevalier, Fire Chief - Leading thru Crisis · January 22, 2026 · 1h 13m

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