🧯 “Time Is the Enemy”: A Raw Fire Service Wake-Up Call

This is a passionate, brutally honest, and deeply personal address by Curt Isakson, Battalion Chief (Ret.) sharing his experiences with mental health, leadership failures, line-of-duty deaths (LODDs), fireground safety, and the moral responsibility to train and educate in the American fire service. He emphasizes reading, learning, accountability, and doing the job right — not for popularity, but to survive and to save others.

Chief Ike’s core message is “time is the enemy” — both on the fireground and in training. He delivers a powerful call to action rooted in his personal breakdown, psychiatric struggles, and incarceration, triggered by a lack of peer support and workplace trauma. Throughout the message, he emphasizes the critical role of shared knowledge, the duty to train seriously, and the danger of complacency. 

Using vivid examples from decades of service, close calls, and specific incidents (DeKalb County Georgia, Binghamton New York, & Fort Worth Texas), he illustrates how even doing everything right can still go wrong. He condemns weak leadership, lazy officers, and institutional coverups, arguing that sharing mistakes saves lives. Chief Ike is no longer seeking popularity — he’s on a mission to prepare firefighters to survive and thrive. Are you in on this mission?

❓ Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What does “Time is the enemy” mean in the context of this speech?

It refers to the rapid progression of modern fires due to synthetic materials and lightweight construction, reducing survivability and demanding faster, smarter decisions on the fireground.

Why is the speaker critical of fire department leadership?

He highlights failures in leadership, especially the refusal to document or learn from close calls, which puts lives at risk and perpetuates a dangerous culture of silence and complacency.

What books does the speaker recommend for firefighters?

Books include Collapse of Burning Buildings by Vincent Dunn, Fireground Size-Up by Mike Turpak, 30 Fires You Must Know, and Pass It On series by Billy Goldfeder.

How does mental health play a role in this message?

The speaker shares his own mental health struggles, hospitalization, and lack of peer support to emphasize the need for emotional care and solidarity in high-stress professions like firefighting.

What is the Mentor Club mentioned in the talk?

It’s a planned group for dedicated firefighters to meet, study, and share knowledge — with a firehouse-style setup to promote serious discussions and education.

Why does the speaker emphasize daily training?

He believes 30-60 minutes of daily on-duty training is essential for readiness and survival, criticizing officers who fail to lead or train their crews consistentlyF.