Bridging the Generational Gap: Adapting to the Changing Fire Department
Jonah Smith
Friday, June 16, 2023
10:45 AM – 12:15 AM
TikTok. Twitter. Facebook. WhatsApp. What is all that, and what’s up with the next generation? Every new generation brings its own new challenges. Bridging the Generational Gap: Adapting to the Changing Fire Department addresses the challenges of the changing fire department employee environment and ways to deal with ensuring employee satisfaction in organizations while dealing with generational differences.
Jonah Smith
Jonah Smith grew up in Richmond, VA where his exposure to the fire service began in the Church Hill area of the RVA with some of the best firefighters in the city. Jonah attended the University of South Carolina for both a bachelor’s and Masters and started with the Columbia Fire Department in 2003. After a few years, Jonah pursued a career with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department where he began in 2005. He served as a Captain from 2010 to 2021 serving on Engine Companies on the City’s South side. He is currently assigned as a Battalion Chief on B Shift. Additionally, since the day he received his certifications in 2003, he has volunteered with departments including the Lexington County FD and Columbia Fire Department. Currently he serves as an Assistant Chief at the Pleasant Valley Fire Department in South Carolina. Jonah is a 6-time FDIC instructor and has presented at numerous conferences to include: Firehouse Expo, Fire Rescue International, South Carolina Fire Rescue, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference, and the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo. He is married with 2 children.
