Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table Episode 74: Justin Grimes, Fire Chief - Relationships Release Date: July 6, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 74 of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table, Captain Berlin Maza and Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack welcome Fire Chief Justin Grimes from the Cocoa Beach Fire Department in Florida. With over 22 years in the fire service and a robust background in emergency management and fire science education, Chief Grimes delves deep into the pivotal role of relationships in effective leadership within the fire service.
Fitness and Department Culture
Timestamp: 03:04
Chief Grimes emphasizes the foundational importance of fitness in the fire service. He recounts his personal journey from a weightlifting enthusiast to embracing functional fitness, highlighting how physical preparedness is critical for operational success.
Justin Grimes: "Fitness obviously is the foundation of it all. Like, if it doesn't matter how good you are on scene, if you don't have the foundation to actually see it through, then, you know, you're never going to be able to accomplish the task at a high level." (03:15)
He notes a cultural shift where fitness is now widely embraced within the Cocoa Beach Fire Department, contrasting it with earlier times when less emphasis was placed on physical conditioning.
Leadership Philosophy: Humility and Alignment
Timestamp: 06:00
Chief Grimes shares his hands-on approach to leadership, underscoring the necessity of humility and staying connected with frontline firefighters. By actively participating in drills and operations, he maintains a grounded perspective.
Justin Grimes: "I think we all need to be humbled. Right. I know Chief Lee mentioned this. I say this all the time...so I have to always kind of put myself back into their place, understand what are their needs and what are they facing." (06:30)
He advocates for leaders who lead by example, ensuring that they remain approachable and deeply involved in the day-to-day challenges faced by their teams.
Mentorship and Developing Future Leaders
Timestamp: 09:12
Chief Grimes elaborates on the importance of mentorship in fostering a culture where the best ideas rise to the top. He believes in empowering firefighters to contribute ideas, regardless of their rank, ensuring that innovation is not stifled by hierarchy.
Justin Grimes: "I think it's our job as leaders to try to make sure that happens... A lot of our jobs as leaders is to make sure that happens, but it's not always a guarantee." (10:16)
He envisions a fire service where every level, from firefighters to chiefs, is committed to training and surpassing their predecessors, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptability.
Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution
Timestamp: 30:05
Discussing soft skills, Chief Grimes highlights emotional regulation and empathy as critical traits for effective leadership. He underscores that leaders must manage their emotions to maintain trust and foster a positive work environment.
Justin Grimes: "You can't separate emotional regulation and empathy in certain ways... if you don't really consistently stay on top of it." (31:00)
He addresses the challenges of discussing emotional intelligence in traditionally rugged environments but emphasizes its necessity for healthy team dynamics.
Collaboration with Other Departments and External Learning
Timestamp: 40:07
Chief Grimes advocates for collaboration beyond departmental boundaries. By learning from neighboring agencies and international experts, he believes fire departments can adopt best practices tailored to their unique challenges.
Justin Grimes: "We don't need to reinvent the wheel. We need to find out what works for us." (41:54)
He shares examples of adopting advanced water rescue techniques from external experts to enhance their own capabilities, demonstrating the benefits of an open and collaborative approach.
Defining Moments Shaping Leadership
Timestamp: 42:33
Reflecting on personal experiences, Chief Grimes recounts pivotal moments that shaped his leadership philosophy. From transforming his work ethic to understanding the true responsibilities of promotion, these experiences instilled in him a mission-first mentality and the importance of selflessness.
Justin Grimes: "From that day, I've always said, you give me the mission, I'm gonna give you 110%." (47:06)
These moments underscore the profound impact that mentorship and personal accountability have on effective leadership.
Action Items for Emerging Leaders
Timestamp: 49:40
Chief Grimes offers practical advice for new firefighters aiming to develop strong relationships and leadership skills:
- Listen and Develop Opinions: "Absorb as much as you can. Just listen and develop your own opinions." (50:08)
- Embrace Relationships: Build trust by putting in the effort and showing genuine commitment.
- Give 110% and Stay Positive: "If you give 110%, you can outwork talent." (52:45)
- Do the Right Thing: Adopt a mindset focused on integrity, even when recognition is absent.
He emphasizes that consistent effort in these areas lays the groundwork for long-term success and leadership growth.
Recommended Reading
Timestamp: 58:45
Chief Grimes recommends How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie as essential reading for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership and relational skills. He highlights its timeless principles on soft skills and effective communication.
Justin Grimes: "It's like a whole lesson, like a college class on that... it's still the same thing as today." (59:00)
Final Thoughts
Timestamp: 68:43
Concluding the episode, Chief Grimes shares his vision of leadership alignment, likening it to a banyan tree where support is decentralized, allowing the organization to grow robustly without overburdening a single leader.
Justin Grimes: "You got to be more like a banyan tree...so those people at the next level they build into that same foundation." (69:00)
He reiterates the importance of alignment and shared responsibility in building a resilient and effective fire service organization.
Leadership Challenge
Timestamp: 62:31
Chief Grimes formally challenges Tim Rogers from Rescue 3 International to continue the conversation on leadership, recognizing Rogers' extensive experience and mentorship contributions in the fire service.
Connecting with Chief Grimes
Contact Information: For those interested in collaborating or learning more about Chief Grimes’ initiatives, especially his water rescue technician classes, you can reach him via email at jay.grunt@example.com through the City of Cocoa Beach Fire Department.
Closing Remarks Captain Berlin Maza and Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack thank Chief Grimes for his insightful contributions, underscoring the episode's focus on building meaningful relationships to foster leadership within the fire service.
Be sure to tune in to future episodes of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table for more in-depth discussions with leaders across various professions and industries.