Don't Risk It! Podcast

Hosted by VFIS

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Episodes

142

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Don't Risk It is designed to help emergency service organizations better protect their responders, equipment and clients by covering a range of safety-related topics. Every other week, host Chris Rodgers, of VFIS Client Risk Solutions, will speak with industry veterans and risk management experts to discuss what crews can do to help limit common ESO exposures. Don't miss a single episode of Don't Risk It! Subscribe today.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 1117 min

Arson: Youth-Set Fire Prevention, Intervention, & Investigation

In this episode, Fire Chief Bill Wiegman joins the VFIS podcast to talk about how his shared experience as a firefighter and mental health clinician informs his work in youth-set fire prevention, intervention, and investigation. Listen to Chief Wiegman and Chris Rodgers talk about the: Psychology behind these incidents Importance of expertise and compassion Deep need for continued education Take less than 17 minutes to learn more about how you can take a holistic approach to arson prevention in your community.

May 26, 2026Episode 1013 min

Fidelity Best Practices

Fidelity risk refers to the financial loss your emergency service organization could face due to intentional dishonest acts by your members, such as theft, embezzlement, or forgery. Some of the major areas of fidelity risk include: Financial management Fundraising & special events Cybersecurity In our latest podcast episode, VFIS Emergency Services Specialists, Chris Rodgers and Blair Tyndall, discuss simple ways you can better protect your agency against these risks. Take less than 15 minutes to get quick tips you can implement today, like always requiring two signatures on every check—and only signing after it's been completed in full.

May 12, 2026Episode 910 min

Digital Warnings for Approaching Emergency Services Vehicles - HAAS Alerting System

Lives lost. Millions of dollars in damages. Up to four-year production delays for apparatus. These are just some of the potentially devastating costs that your emergency service organization could face because of a vehicle accident. One possible tool to help decrease vehicle crashes are digital alerts that notify the public about approaching emergency services vehicles. In this episode, Darrell Fisher of New Holland EMS joins Chris Rodgers of VFIS to share how their organization utilizes HAAS Alert technology and how they integrated it into their fleet. https://www.haasalert.com/

April 28, 2026Episode 816 min

PTSD in EMS: One Paramedic's Story

EMS personnel face very real threats each day, including the risk of violence. Melanie Kempf of Lancaster EMS joins Chris Rogers from VFIS to share how a seemingly routine call turned into a lifechanging experience. Listen to hear her recall the violent event, how it impacted her mental health, and changes that she helped implement to help future first responders cope with trauma *Sensitive Content Warning: This podcast discusses violence against EMS personnel, including a real-life example.*

April 14, 2026Episode 717 min

Injury Prevention Specialists in Emergency Service

This episode looks at the benefits of an Injury Prevention Specialist in Emergency Services applying athletic trainer concepts to help prevent staff injuries. Specifically, Lancaster EMS in Pennsylvania is a front runner in using an on-staff Injury Prevention Specialist to help reduce workplace injuries and keep the first responders fit for duty. https://www.psatsociety.com/

March 31, 2026Episode 618 min

Service Animals in Emergency Services

On this episode we are joined by Brent Lewis, with Correll Insurance Group, Inc. Brent is the Regional Sales Director and Producer for VFIS of South Carolina. He helps us explore the role of service animals in emergency services to include roles, certifications, training, deployment and what legal protections are in place through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Brent also shares a personal and amazing journey with "Maggie", his own service animal!

March 17, 2026Episode 512 min

Enhancing Relationships Between 911 Operators & Field First Responders

A lack of understanding, limited communication, and stereotypes are just a few of the reasons that 911/communication center personnel and field first responders, like firefighters and EMS personnel, may have some animosity towards one another. However, breaking down barriers between your emergency service organizations and establishing better relationships may not only help improve your working relationships—but benefit your entire emergency response system as well. In this episode, Chris Rodgers and Blair Tyndall, VFIS Industry Specialists, offer a few ideas help establish better "off air communications" and relationships within your response chain.

March 3, 2026Episode 511 min

EMS Special Event Standby Agreement Considerations

EMS teams are often asked to be on standby at events, like community gatherings and sporting activities, to provide assistance if a participant or spectator needs medical aid. However, while these scenarios are common, they're not without risk to your organization. For example, these events are often contacted on either a dedicated or non-dedicated basis, meaning you may or may not be obligated to leave the event to respond to 911 calls, which should drastically change your written agreement for the event to help protect your organization. Join Chris Rodgers and David Bradley, VFIS Industry Specialists, as they discuss risks to be aware of and best practices to help protect your EMS agency during standby assignments.

February 17, 2026Episode 48 min

Properly Maintaining Your Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP)

The declining and aging volunteer firefighter base is a major concern for many fire departments and community leaders—especially in more rural areas and among smaller departments. To help combat this challenge, many emergency service departments have implemented programs, like a cost-effective LOSAP plan, to help them recruit, retain, and reward volunteer firefighters based on their longevity of service. VFIS is proud to be the leader of LOSAPs in emergency services nationwide and to serve as a trusted resource to LOSAP clients to help them better understand and utilize their benefits. That's why Chris Rodgers, VFIS Industry Specialist, and Sarah M. Talerico, VFIS LOSAP Client Relationship Manager, sat down to share some best practices to help you properly maintain your LOSAP, including important paperwork and information to keep updated.

February 3, 2026Episode 321 min

Managing the Cost of Risk in Your ESO

A vehicle or apparatus crash will typically cost your emergency service organization more now than ever, with year-after-year claim costs continuing to rise. From inflation, rising replacement costs, and increasing labor costs—there are many factors at play when it comes to insurance rates and premium being at an all-time high. However, there are things that you can do to help your ESO manage the cost of risk. In this episode, Chris Rodgers, VFIS Industry Specialist, and Scott Harkins, Senior Vice President of Risk Control for VFIS and Glatfelter Insurance Group, take a deep dive into what "cost of risk" means, how to better manage it, and the landscape of insurance in the emergency services industry. 75 years of caring for the caretakers

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Don&apos;t Risk It! Podcast