Fire District Chief - A Day in the Life

On this episode of A Day in the Life we ride along with District Chief Andy Powell during a busy New Years Eve at South Metro.
00:43 Shift change
01:41 The difference between District and Battalion Chief
03:55 Daily conference call
07:31 Highway medical response
09:10 Inside smoke investigation
11:06 Meeting with Med 1
12:30 How to become a District Chief at SMFR
14:48 Virtual structure fire training
16:17 Highway traffic collision response
22:05 Handling situations that are outside of policy
22:54 Highway traffic collision response
22:42 Blocking traffic at a collision
25:15 Chief Powell's favorite job
25:57 Highway traffic collision response
27:47 The second half of Chief Powell's shift begins

[@scotthagapac]

The level of professionalism compared to other departments is very evident.

[@bktenn29]

Not to take anything away from South Metro but there's still something to be said about less "buttoned up" departments

[@hannahyasmeen5324]

@@landonpalmer7662 hs

[@JT565M29]

@@bktenn29you’re not wrong, South Metro is absolutely one of the best buttoned up there is. However I’ll go out on a limb and say PG county is hands down the best unbuttoned dept out there

[@chirpyr6219]

If you ever run out of "day in the life" ideas you could do a day in the life of different apparatus crews. E.g. "day in the life of tower 34" and talk to the different crew members throughout the video.

[@ViperVibeGamingofficial]

Big brain comment right there

[@dpm-jt8rj]

That was one of the best "Day in the Life" episodes. I just wish there was a part two for day two! A "Good Work" shout out to the PIO/IT people at SMFR.

[@anddrewb1367]

It would be cool if they hung out with them again. Maybe in differently seasons (so maybe next time they are with a district cheif it could be maybe spring or summer)

[@dpm-jt8rj]

@@anddrewb1367 Does SMFR work a 2 on/4 off schedule? 48 hours on duty could make for a very long shift but I am sure having four days off in a row would be a very nice perk! I have worked 48 hours in a row a few times but those were trade shifts, where I would work their shift and then my shift, or vice versa. And working as a chief officer would be tough as well with logistics, weather, and all the other intangibles.

[@ajnationajaj1041]

I agree

[@MackB12]

I always love the storm ride alongs

[@awpplejuice7798]

I think is a 24 hour shift and it ends after the day 2's meetings

[@ericpolowski334]

i don't care if you run out of positions to video within the department.....JUST DON'T STOP ( post the same positions with different employees!) these are so absolutely well done its truly mind blowing. I don't even want to be a firefighter but i sure want to work at this department every time i finish an episode well done.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Thank you so much! We'll definitely keep the Day in the Life videos coming!

[@ThatWeirdoRightThere]

Chief Powell seems like a great guy. Super personable and really knows his stuff. I loved how he said that he’s loved all of the different positions he’s worked over his career because that shows somebody who’s dedicated and in love with every aspect of their job. Great qualities for a Chief

[@Firescue112]

Guys, that was a shock when your channel was suddenly gone! I'm glad everything is back to normal now. Very nice video! 🙌

[@GreaterCincinnatiFireBuff]

Hallo

[@furniturecityfirebuff]

Ayyy they’re back

[@jayspencer8893]

I was so pissed lol

[@pocketpenguin23]

@@jayspencer8893 Same.

[@KarleighJJones]

Me three

[@super6158]

Yeah I was like wth

[@goombasquaddie6118]

@@jayspencer8893 I was too!

[@ourmilotin2819]

Looking forward to this! Any chance of a day in the life of fleet maintenance or logistics? Would be great to see some more of the behind the scene of a big fire department

[@josephcastro9030]

I think they did one already

[@441meatloaf]

I love how everyone is doing these a day in a life channel. Its much more realistic of what really happens vs the Live PD tele shows.

[@stephenbritton9297]

Love the dedication to the "mission, vision, values." Its easy to see them on the wall every day, and go "yup," but to hear the members of SMFR on this channel so often mention them, it shows they mean something!

[@gervanwilliams1409]

So glad I found this channel. Really nice seeing how all this operate

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Thanks for watching!!

[@chriswilson9230]

The radio communications professionalism is refreshing, compared to my county. The degree requirements is something that I stress to the new guys. Get your degrees while you’re younger. Don’t be older like me and just starting a degree program.

[@SilverSprings95]

22:14 the look on Powells Face when he hears a Lady wants to break into her condo also amazing work DC1

[@jamieo8653]

Nice job. I am a city councilor in Gloucester, Ma and emergency services is so so important. Your channel is educating me on what appears to me to be a well run department. Thank you!🇺🇸

[@gua742]

This is a VERY well run department.

[@jasonzhou334]

Day in life of Fire Chief would be nice. Seeing someone with a 9-5 would be cool and give another perspective.

[@coloradod3649]

I worked with Troy more than 20 years ago. Great medic and firefighter.

[@CaptainPlays]

You guys should definitely do “Day in the life of Hazmat/Special Operations”

[@cameronmiller9609]

These are by far the best episodes! This needs to be a tv show!

[@EricWhiteTheGamer]

Honestly

[@JuanRivas1]

We back? Dope!

[@ph11p3540]

My mother is the type of personality that would go absolutely cabin crazy during a heavy snow storm or blizzard. She always finds a reason why she absolutely has to drive in foul winter weather when the authorities are warning everyone to stay off the roads

[@SnakeBiteGaming556]

Great shift for y’all that was crazy my dads a firefighter and I got to ride in the fire engine and go in the ambulance when I was in the ambulance I got to turn the ELS on it was fun and when we were in the truck they got a call it was a possible brush fire then it got changed to a confirmed structure fire then they hurried and got there turnout gear on and responded code 3 it was cool❤

[@tylerknecht2238]

Love the camera placement when responding to the mva on the highway

[@rob.o.b]

You guys are killing it with the day in the life series! keep it up!!

[@allenculbertson8170]

God bless all of SMFR and all men and women who are first responders. A special thank you 😊 🙏

[@captainlambo8235]

Been waiting for day in the life of a district chief for a while. Great that it is finally here. Stay safe!

[@poohbearmom64]

This D1 Chief truly shows how much he enjoys being a District Chief and how knowledgeable he is about the various aspects of his position !! 👍😎. I really enjoyed this episode 😀😀 I just wish we could have had a little more elaboration/ detail on all the calls he handled as well as at the station... Giving him enough time to eat in peace though 👍👍. Thank You D1 Chief for sharing your day with us and explaining some of the things you encountered.😀

[@aidenwest4616]

Love PIO vlogs and day in the life vids! I see they still have that "Your incident has been updated" haunting their dreams.

[@koywentz5032]

I love the snow storm videos! Maybe you guys could do a video staging at a station, during a snow storm and document the calls and show the like “day in a life during a snow storm”

[@obivanketobi7382]

what a sympathic District Chief ! Nice view of a Day. ! Stay Safe guys !

[@keithhaynes8079]

From a fan in England many thanks District Chief Andy Powell loved the video will look forward to more wishing you and all fire crews a Happy New Year take care and stay safe.

[@tracelandry4655]

my uncle (moms brother) was just promoted to fire chief very recently. i’m looking to follow in his footsteps and hopefully become at minimum a captain when i become a firefighter paramedic💪🏻 god bless our first responders

[@tracelandry4655]

also just got my emt license. got a long way to go but it starts somewhere!

[@stevyn9276]

Good luck

[@tracelandry4655]

@@stevyn9276 appreciate it bro

[@SilverSprings95]

"Did you get my text" "I did get your Text and i ignore it" "you did" "yeah i did" Harsh Love and TLC lmfao Best Conversation ive heard from a DC lol... amazing Job Andy Powell

[@williambrenkley2322]

I agree this is the best day in the life

[@firstprototype]

Look easy, your job, but for everyone that work to help others in need they know how hard it is to make a difference in good 👍! Thank you for your service/work ! God bless you all !

[@Jacob-mm8xq]

You guys should get mobile repeaters for some of your trucks, helps with some of those dead zones

[@ajnationajaj1041]

Please do more videos like this 100 %love these videos

[@socalutah]

Love the Ricky Bobby reference 🤣

[@tennis2668]

Favorite video yet! Great work, even better content

[@stevehofmaster7489]

Thank you I enjoyed this video looks like a great team you have at your station.I am a newly elected Commissioner at my local station and these videos are helpful to me to learn the needs of the department and again I Thank You all for your service to your community.

[@jenskoch4327]

Good episode! Nice Job. I like the „day in the life“ series

[@ullomacres9855]

Love the videos! Keep them up, I’ve been thinking about working with the fire department in my town, you should do a video on what training or diplomas you need please!

[@Fungi733]

I just got to say, I love snow, this was a great video, and I would love to see more videos on snow, and incidents.

[@prodog2355]

LOVE THE CAR CAM ON THE HOOD.

[@awmperry]

Excellent episode as always. But that camera angle from about 17:35 with the weather over the lightbar is just magnificent.

[@Utahhorse117]

Great job yall are heroes

[@plant_trees_kg]

0:04 LOL me checking my phone for a Pulse Point notification during the intro hahaha!

[@gopetrosold]

I was waiting for this one.

[@jbtread7869]

Love the Ricky Bobby reference at the end lol

[@esver1883]

Other fire departments,LEO agencies, and EMS agencies need to take note of how this channel does things.

[@nightfall22]

This was fantastic

[@adamgriffith4779]

I love hearing about Area Command! NIMS/ICS!

[@mikel9567]

I was a LT for my ambulance service. We were a private company but contracted with the largest city and county in the state. I can remember working the logistics side alongside fire or pd trying to get units where they are needed. That was my favorite part too. Now I work in Public Works. We use these things called Auto Socks for our one ton plows. They are much better than chains and faster to install. One person can install them in less than two minutes. Might be something to consider for some of the smaller vehicles in the fleet.

[@davidstruble9108]

My dad is district chief in Georgia so it’s cool to see that other departments do

[@deinemutterslang]

Nice Video, thanks and greetings from Dresden/Germany

[@nate18268]

Incredibly well done video 👍

[@alexbergstrom393]

Great video!

[@Gabrielgrassmayr]

Woah this is such a cool documentary!🔥💪🏻

[@hammertime1]

I can’t believe South Metro got Kevin Costner to play the D1 chief for the day! 🔥 🎥 🚒

[@lordxmarco]

Really amazing episode. I especially loved the Ricky Bobby reference at the end =D

[@SilverSprings95]

Lol the shift Change Conversation was classic at the beginning (00:46)

[@TrafficCamWatch]

This is how you get job applications, good, active, PR like this video series.

[@ALLbad114]

This was really good. He looks really young, good on him!

[@pocketpenguin23]

Yay, thanks Eric and Connor!

[@dominiccarlucci9514]

Chief goes, “It should be pretty quiet.” My jaw almost hit the damn floor.

[@firebufftfs4522]

Amazing dept and chief! Well done great work and stay safe and warm South Metro

[@davidwilson6366]

Can we do another ride along with him please that was one of the bested

[@shawndinterman2219]

A very firm P.O.B (pat on the back) for this man

[@haooan1567]

Chúc ad và all firefighter crew nhiều sức khỏe. All love from Vietnam. And Happy New Year.

[@davearnold9328]

Great segment! Though I almost hate watching you guys because it makes me homesick.

[@bernardkennedyIV]

Great video Eric! Love the black tactical US flag patch on the chiefs right shoulder. Any idea where you can get those?

[@e.g.o.m.e]

Heck yeah, cant wait!

[@SethMaxx1994]

Awsome video

[@shawndinterman2219]

The fact you can pick up the phone and have any sort off emergency resource within min. Makes me proud and grateful to be an American. Heros also drive gold leaf emblemed red trucks I guess

[@joelgreen4949]

Looks like South Metro is moving to the Scott C5 face piece and regulator for their SCBA

[@ThatGuyWaffle-ru2wm]

not the pulse point sound at the begging. That app a life saver tho tbh.

[@SilverSprings95]

Day in a Life of PIO should be part of the series

[@MaineAviationCessna]

Training District Chief? EMS District? Keep em coming

[@Tyuop8899]

18:40 to watch chief be an absolute drift God

[@LPTTC330]

I love Target solutions said no one ever but great training tool my department we currently use Action Training

[@SmoothBalla1]

Thinking about joining a FD, after the Navy. I’d already have my NEMT, after Corpsman A school. What else can I do before applying? Would love to join at some point

[@DraperWashington]

Need day in the life of a firefighter again

[@michaelboyd8953]

I think they should do a day in a life of a pio

[@jarrythskeen8336]

Good job BC1 stay safe

[@LCRBuff]

Hello i was wondering what equipment how to use to film these videos i am currently planning to film a day in the life for my local departments and i was inspired by your vidoes

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

This video was captured with a Sony FX3 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens. The hood view was captured using a GoPro Hero5 Session on a suction cup mount and the windshield camera is a Rove 2. Our PIO Team uses Final Cut Pro to edit.

[@LakesRegionEmergencyPhoto]

Great video! Do your chief rigs have studded snow tires? If not, I highly recommend them, as they may help mitigate slipping (such as at 18:36). They do wonders here in New England.

[@rjyeezy76]

Not allowed.

[@MackB12]

Chief Powell seems like a great chief and man, also impressive how quick he moved through the ranks, it appears he was a captain as recent as 2016 based on tower 35?

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

We couldn't agree more! That's correct and since this video he was promoted again, this time to Division Chief of Human Performance and Optimization.

[@MackB12]

@@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO wow…maybe you can just do a day in the life of Powell annually, and in a few years, you would have every position covered 😂😂…only issue, you’d probably have to start about 10 years ago

[@Maizefire]

Hey I got a question how do I go and get a patch from you guys?

[@alex_1798]

Happy new year SMFR

[@chriselms6972]

jeezus a masters degree for district chief. never heard of that requirement for even a chiefs position

[@edsmetaldetecting31]

I have to say this one the best, day in the life!! I agree with dpm1982

[@jojosmumdorothy2829]

Superheroes all firefighters 🚒 stay safe 🙏 ❤ from UK 🇬🇧

[@biky.3337]

watching these make me so excited to become a firefighter

[@TheOutlawMan]

It's a great job, man. Keep working for it!

[@user-rj3mk9iw5x]

we love the fire depernt

[@jesse5604]

Is it possible to do a Day in the Life of the Deputy Fire Chief, or Operations Chief? How high can you go up the ranks for these Day in the Life episides?

[@RomanWar731]

Looking forward to this, but probably will need to wait until after our county-wide S&R training Saturday to watch it.

[@MrJRod891]

I liked the Talladega Nights movie quote!

[@TankManCov1992]

SMFR Rocks

[@troy______]

My favorite day in the life was the captain one!

[@kam88fan]

Just Curious Do Yall Put Chains On Your Trucks? Because Down Where I Live Near Hendersonville North Carolina I Work In A Volunteer Fire And Rescue Department We Put Chains On Our Trucks

[@centralcofirebuff7830]

SMFR puts chains on their engines, aerials and other large and specialty apparatus for sure, some of the smaller vehicles like chiefs and sometimes medics dont have them put on

[@qwerty-ot3vw]

Did a district cheif really just say “should be pretty quiet” (4:47)