Personality Behind the Profile: Flow and Vent

This month we talk with one of the co-founders of Flow and Vent, Robert Policht. The Instagram account has more than 51,000 followers and its Facebook has more than 30,000 followers. The account focuses on the development of firefighters with live training, tips and tricks, drills, and insights into the trade of firefighting.

From New Jersey, Policht and a friend, Pete Raia, created the account in 2013 and weren’t sure if the account was going to take off or not given the new land they were exploring in terms of social media at that time. Years later with thousands of followers gained, and opportunities to teach in areas that weren’t a thought, the account gained some traction.

Policht’s journey began in high school when he volunteered to gain college credit. From there, he joined the fire academy as a junior but got into his dream school at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Policht spent his time there getting involved as an intern through the leadership program with the Boulder, CO, Fire-Rescue Department Division of Fire Safety.

“I love this stuff. I was taking whatever class I could get into. If it was free, it was for me. I don't care if it was something someone said was never going to apply to me, but it applies to me now,” said Policht.

He joined the Passaic, NJ, Fire Department after college to bring things full circle from his volunteering days. He was promoted to a fire officer at a young age and has been with the Passaic Fire Department on ladder 2 for the last eight years.

As for social media, Policht and Raia originally started a Facebook account of putting out tricks and tips that helped them along the way. Eventually a podcast launched with two other friends of Policht, Mikey Ferrara and Mike Imperiosi, and traveling for teaching was a reality. Policht has gained a reputation that will bring him to Poland, where his parents are from, later this year. Other opportunities have included traveling to teach at local and national conventions like Firehouse Expo, SUSAR and FOOLS event, and works as contributor for Firehouse.

“For me, I just want to keep doing what we're doing, having fun, having conversations and people involved in it from around the world,” said Policht.

Being a career firefighter and having a popular social media account to manage can be a tough task. Policht understands that life happens sometimes and doesn’t let it get to him if he misses a post or has been inactive for a while.

“I just put it out there. It will find its way wherever it will get to. I know it's probably not the best business practice, but its worked,” said Policht.

Policht values quality over quantity and that is reflected in their name. Flow and Vent is playing up it up on life in and out of the fire service.

“Post a picture of a pen. Say it's cool. But I will tell you why I like it, what's positive, what's negative, what's the realistic side of it. To juggle everything, it does take a little patience behind the scenes,” said Policht.

The account takes a centralized front when it comes to outreach. They are known as Flow and Vent, not by the individuals involved. It’s always been a team and audience focused endeavor for Policht. He takes a lot of time to thank his audience for making everything possible.

“Everybody’s been part of the whole Flow and Vent thing. It's not just like a specific brand or team of people. It's everybody's influence and involvement in it. That was always my biggest thing. In the podcast, and even while teaching, we wouldn't be here without everybody else,” said Policht.