Sam DiGiovanna

Sam DiGiovanna is a 33-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, Calif. He also is a consultant for Lexipol Fire Services.

Articles by Sam DiGiovanna

• Keeping the chief in check

  Thursday, May 18, 2017

  ​Being a chief officer is a rewarding position. But the saying "to whom much is given, much is expected" holds true as a fire chief. The job can take its toll on you and be extremely challenging, leading to stress and burnout. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's important to set some boundaries and keep yourself in check to avoid mental burnout and stress.

• Hey Chief, stand down and take 5

  Thursday, May 04, 2017

  ​We all complain. Just like poor eating habits or lack of exercise, it's an easy trap to fall into — and even harder to get out of. Complaining provides some short-term pleasure, but just like eating unhealthy foods, it has negative effects over the long term.

• Hey Chief, what keeps you up at night?

  Wednesday, April 12, 2017

  Do you find yourself checking your cellphone often? When your city manager says, "I need to see you," do you feel like you're going to the principal's office? When you're at dinner or a concert, are you truly present or are you thinking about work? Have you snapped at your significant other or kids for insignificant reasons? Finding your patience is running thin?

• Spring training for wildfire season

  Thursday, March 30, 2017

  ​Spring training is wrapping up for Major League Baseball, and the regular season starts April 2. Over the past month, players from every team have been holed up at training camps, studiously perfecting their skills. This annual tradition builds team camaraderie and gets players "game ready."

• Spread the word: Firefighters need cancer screenings

  Thursday, March 16, 2017

  It's been just over five years now since my good friend Captain Andy Troncale of the Arcadia (Calif.) Fire Department passed away. Andy and I grew up together and played Little League in West Covina, Calif. We joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department as Explorers at age 15. We would ditch school and ride along at every fire station we could.

• Talkin’ ‘bout my generation: Recruiting millennials to the fire department

  Thursday, March 09, 2017

  ​In my last article, I detailed some of the characteristics that mark the millennial generation. Many of these characteristics — such as difficulty accepting orders or the desire to communicate electronically vs. face-to-face contact — don’t translate well to the fire station environment. But new recruits are the lifeblood of the organization; we can’t just avoid hiring young people. So, what to do about this generational issue?

• Talkin’ ‘bout my generation: Dealing with millennials in the fire department

  Thursday, March 02, 2017

  I've seen a lot of new recruits come through the training center over the past several years. Although I always get excited about welcoming new recruits, the new generation seems to present some unique challenges and training needs. Nothing against them; it's more of a sign of the times. Do you recognize any of these characteristics?

• ​Your ‘jaws of life’ can build up or tear down

  Thursday, February 16, 2017

  As chief officers, when was the last time you went to the engine or the truck and looked at the equipment and power tools on them — the Jaws of Life, the hydraulic spreaders, the generators, the chainsaws?

• Have a heart, chief — a healthy one

  Thursday, February 02, 2017

  You're a chief officer now, congratulations! You're at the top of your organization's ladder, so it's easy street now, right? Wrong! Chances are you got the position because you worked harder than others, advanced your career with schooling and specialized fire-related training while off-duty. You took on and worked extra projects and assignments away from your family and personal life. In your early stages as a firefighter, you were proudly known as the one who was "first in and last out" during fires and incidents.

• Fighting the flu is a lot like fighting fires

  Thursday, January 19, 2017

  During the winter season, we remind communities to change their smoke detector batteries, advise them how to be safe while cooking during the holidays and, for those of us in wildfire-prone communities, encourage them to follow the "Ready, Set, Go" model to properly prepare.