The Firehouse Yak: Michael Dozier - Is Your Department’s Culture Helping or Hurting Your Firefighters?

Peter Matthews talks with Michael Dozier on the factors fire departments are having trouble improving their culture as both crews and organizations.

Peter Matthews

Michael Dozier

July 7, 2025

2 min read

686bbd48f8c67d6d3484ff2a Michael Dozier Aspire Primary Photo

Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Michael Dozier of The Company Officer about the deep-rooted cultural challenges facing today’s fire departments.

Dozier starts by breaking down what “culture” truly means in the fire service and how departments across the country, at every rank, are struggling with communication, trust, and aligning expectations. He explains how key points contribute to cohesive teams, and what firefighters at each rank can do to maintain accountability and strengthen commitment.

The podcast also explores the unwritten rules that influence daily operations, including those that help firefighters succeed—and those that create barriers. Dozier closes by sharing how regional differences, especially in areas like his where many firefighters are transplants, further shape the way culture is built and sustained.

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, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.

Michael Dozier

Michael Dozier is a career battalion chief for Horry County, SC, Fire Rescue, where he has served since 2006. Currently he is assigned to the 4th Battalion. Dozier is the author of the fire service blog The Company Officer and has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia Southern University. He has spoken all over the United States on firehouse culture and company officer leadership.