Welcome to the inaugural episode of Beyond the Bugles, where Assistant Chief Jacob Johnson of the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, sits down with Fire Chief Doug Boeker of the Fulshear, TX, Fire Department.
Together, they dive into leadership at the chief officer level, covering the do’s and don’ts of command, firehouse culture and the importance of meaningful kitchen-table conversations.
The discussion blends professional insight with candid moments, offering both practical takeaways and authentic perspectives from two experienced leaders. This energetic first episode delivers wisdom, laughter and real-world leadership lessons.
About the Author
Jacob Johnson
Jacob Johnson started at the Katy, TX, Volunteer Fire Department as a Junior Explorer Post Firefighter at 15 years old. Throughout the years, he moved up in the ranks until he changed departments in 2007. Johnson was one of the original full-time members who was hired by the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, where he currently sits today as a member of administration, serving as an assistant chief. Johnson has taught at numerous schools in Texas and has traveled over the past year to teach his mentoring and leadership class.
Ryan Baker
Associate Editor
Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.