The Firehouse Yak: Andy Starnes – Developing Your Personal Board of Directors
Peter Matthews talks with Andy Starnes about the importance of each person having a personal board of directors who they can reach out to and seek advice from throughout their lives. Starnes stresses why this board is just as important for decisions within the fire service as it is at home and with your family.
While Starnes is known around the world for his efforts to educate firefighters on thermal imaging, this episode focuses on the human side of the firefighter and ensuring members make the right decisions, influenced by trusted friends and advisors. Starnes shares where the concept of the board came from, how to seek out the people you want on your board and how the two-way relationship works.
Listen for advice on how to be a better friend, colleague, firefighter and family member and for tips on how to pull through the tough times.
About the Author
Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.
Andrew Starnes
Andrew Starnes has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1991 and as a career firefighter since 1998. He retired as a battalion chief after 25 years of service. Starnes graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Fire Science Administration. He currently serves as the owner/operator/instructor of Insight Training LLC and is Level II Thermography Certified. Starnes' work has assisted in developing numerous fire service products, including several thermal imaging cameras from various manufacturers. Insight Training's Thermal Imaging Curriculum is in use in Canada, Germany, Poland, Spain, Taiwan and across South America. Starnes serves as a board member for 5-Alarm Task Force and is a Master Craftsman with Project Kill the Flashover.