The Firehouse Yak: Sean Eagen – Staying Motivated & Truck Company Leadership
Peter Matthews talks with Capt. Sean Eagen from the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department about his role as a company officer and commander, plus how today’s busy fire service can stay motivated through tough times. Eagen shares leadership advice and crew management ideas, including the ability to communicate with groups across multiple platforms.
Eagen, coming from a busy city in the urban rust belt of America, talks about the ways to keep firefighters motivated, despite equipment troubles, city politics and budgets and busy shifts. Despite the challenges, he reminds firefighters they signed up to do the job, no matter what the situation they face.
He shares tips on how to create training opportunities and pass along streets smarts, whether it’s 1 p.m. or 2 a.m., especially to help the large number of newer firefighters on the street engaged and educated.
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.
Sean Eagen
Sean Eagen is a 26-year veteran of the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department. He currently is the captain of Truck 4. Eagen also is an instructor for the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control Special Operations Branch as well as for Eckert Fire Tactics. He regularly presents at Firehouse's conferences.
