Podcast Summary

Podcast: Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
Episode: 90 – “Randy Chevalier, Fire Chief – Leading thru Crisis”
Host: Berlin Maza
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode, Fire Chief Randy Chevalier of Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District (Arizona) joins host Berlin Maza to discuss leading through crisis. Chevalier reflects candidly on the immense challenges his department faced in 2025, including three firefighter line-of-duty deaths and navigating a major financial scandal at a legacy organization. Throughout the conversation, Chief Chevalier offers insights on personal resilience, the critical importance of relationships and mentorship, and actionable advice for leaders at every level—whether in the fire service or any profession facing adversity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Team and Mentorship in Crisis

• Timestamp: [00:01], [07:21]
  • Chevalier emphasizes you cannot lead through crisis alone; a strong team and external mentors are essential.
  • “You can't lead through it alone. You have to have a good team. ... You can't make decisions in a vacuum in your own organizations, and you have to have a solid team outside your organization. That's where that mentorship really comes into play.” — Randy Chevalier ([07:21])
  • He credits the Arizona fire service for fostering a robust statewide leadership network that supported him through tragedy.

2. Building Relationships Inside and Outside the Organization

• Timestamps: [10:50], [13:28], [17:46]
  • Success during crisis hinges on both internal culture and broad external professional networks.
  • “You won't know what else is out there until you extend your networking ... Even beyond the state — good friends, chief officers, firefighters in other states. ... A collective mind is better than my mind for sure.” — Chevalier ([10:50])
  • Arizona’s signature programs (Battalion Chief Academy, annual state fire school, CEO Program) pull leaders together from across regions, helping align standards and build a cohesive leadership pipeline.

3. Arizona’s Unique Statewide Leadership Development Model

• Timestamps: [14:51], [18:06]
  • The hosts and Chevalier discuss Arizona’s progressive approach (e.g., multi-department academies, chief seminars, CEO programs).
  • “What makes it successful is we can all see the value in it ... A collective group of leaders want to give back, and we’re all getting something out of it.” — Chevalier ([17:46])
  • There’s an openness to eventually expanding these programs regionally or interstate.

4. Line-of-Duty Deaths: The Hardest Test of Leadership

• Timestamps: [20:23]–[38:25]
  • Chevalier recounts, with raw honesty, the devastating loss of three firefighters in under a month during 2025.
    • Two died in an ambulance accident (September 14th); a third was killed in a separate incident weeks later.
  • Details the emotional toll: making next-of-kin notifications, coordinating support, and the critical impact of having mental health professionals and chaplains present.
  • Memorable quote:
    “Everything changed at that moment in time for us, for the rest of our lives, for the rest of our careers. ... One of the most critical pieces ... was doing the family notifications with a chaplain and a mental health professional. That was crucial for me and the team…” — Chevalier ([24:13], [25:29])
  • Emphasizes that robust Employee Assistance Programs, proactive mental health care, and pre-crisis planning are vital but are often lacking until tragedy strikes.

5. Organizational Resilience: Community and Peer Support

• Timestamps: [33:04]–[39:20]
  • Innovations post-tragedy: expanded mental health services, all-hands town halls, peer support, and mutual aid from around the state to temporarily staff Timber Mesa.
  • Community solidarity played a huge role: “This community, they literally bent over backwards ... donations, supplies, opening their doors. That's the impact of building and fostering relationships.” — Chevalier ([39:49])

6. Financial Crisis Case Study: Leadership Amidst Scandal

• Timestamps: [41:46]–[57:40]
  • Chevalier recounts managing the aftermath of a $1.8M theft at a legacy department (Show Low Fire), involving the former chief.
  • Steps to recovery included:
    • Bringing in third-party financial oversight
    • Immediate, honest communication with staff and public
    • Instituting rigorous audit procedures
    • Securing emergency funding via local bank and county partnerships
    • Pivoting quickly to rebuild reserves and trust.
  • “It was a disaster. Morale at an extreme rock bottom, distrust from the membership ... community. Stepping into that role … we had to dig in.” ([46:18])
  • “Once those bad eggs were removed and we got a clear picture of what our finances could be ... the recovery happened relatively quick.” ([49:59])

7. Leadership Lessons and Actionable Advice

• Timestamps: Throughout
  • Build robust internal cultures before crisis—addressing staff needs, morale, and mental health.
  • Maintain open, transparent communication, especially in hard times.
  • Don’t operate in isolation—prioritize relationships at all levels (labor groups, administration, community partners, peer departments).
  • Proactively audit and review finances; be transparent always.
  • Identify, nurture, and support the next generation of leaders through formal programs and informal mentorship.
  • Taking care of self and family is crucial for any leader facing traumatic challenges.
  • “Don’t be scared to go talk to somebody. ... Don’t forget about your family, your spouse, your kids—they are living it, walking it with you.” — Chevalier ([65:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On crisis leadership:
  • “When you’re trying to lead through crisis, sometimes there’s no solid playbook. ... Don’t go about a crisis alone. That’s going to get bad for you.” — Chevalier ([07:21])
• On building external teams:
  • “We’re a small group of people, and so there’s so many resources available. Go outside your network. ... A collective mind is better than my mind for sure.” — Chevalier ([10:50])
• On mental health and support:
  • “Make sure, double down, dig in, find those professionals out there. ... Having that person with me when we delivered those messages was crucial.” — Chevalier ([29:54])
• On community solidarity:
  • “This community ... literally bent over backwards ... That’s the impact of that local level. And I’m so grateful.” — Chevalier ([39:49])
• On honesty and transparency:
  • “It’s all about transparency. We’re never going to allow it to happen again, and I don’t want it to happen anywhere else.” — Chevalier ([57:28])
• Personal resilience:
  • “My faith definitely renewed ... my wife Cassie and all my kids and family have really rallied around me ... But it definitely takes a toll ... With the right people, strong mental professionals, I’m able to maintain ... It’s been a major challenge.” — Chevalier ([62:33])
• Lasting Leadership Advice:
  • “Building and fostering relationships—anywhere and everywhere I can. Don’t forget that ... It has lasting impacts forever.” — Chevalier ([71:25])

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:01] — Opening reflection: Can’t lead through crisis alone; importance of team
• [07:21] — Culture, adversity, and shaping leaders
• [10:50] — The critical nature of networking beyond your own department
• [17:46] — Arizona’s leadership academies and their impact
• [20:23] — The tragic events: Line-of-duty deaths, response, support
• [33:04] — Post-incident organizational healing and innovations
• [41:46] — The financial crisis: How it unfolded, how they recovered
• [62:33] — Chevalier’s personal resilience, advice for leaders’ wellness
• [71:25] — Last lasting thoughts and key leadership takeaway

Tone & Takeaways

Chief Chevalier’s tone is straightforward and deeply sincere, combining the humility and candor of someone who has led through unimaginable loss with a hopeful, forward-thinking optimism. He repeatedly credits team, mentorship, and relationships as the keys to surviving and thriving during crisis—insights invaluable to leaders everywhere.

Closing: Leadership Challenge

At episode’s end, Chevalier challenges Chief Danny Johnson (Verde Valley & Copper Canyon Fire Districts), another Arizona leader, to share his leadership journey on the podcast, thus continuing the spirit of sharing and mutual support that defines Arizona’s fire service culture.

For listeners:
This episode is a masterclass in crisis leadership—raw, real, and rich with tested lessons for any leader seeking not just to survive crisis, but to build strength, resilience, and better communities in its wake.