Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) served more than 26 years as a professional firefighter in New Jersey. He is a columnist for Fire Engineering magazine and the author of twelve leadership books, including Amazon best-sellers Step Up and Lead, Step Up Your Teamwork, Flash Point: Ignite Your Team and Forge a Winning Culture and Common Valor: True Stories from America’s Bravest.

Frank is a highly sought after, internationally recognized speaker who has the ability to move people to action. Over the past two decades he has spoken to audiences on many topics that include leadership, team building, officer development, and customer service (1,000+ presentations in 47 States and 4 Countries). Frank travels throughout the United States, Canada and Europe providing leadership and team development training to firefighters (more than 500,000), as well as emergency service workers, sales teams, U.S. Armed Forces, the healthcare industry, small businesses and large corporations (including Exxon/Mobil, Jersey Mike’s, SERVPRO, and Crossroads Realty). Frank has presented keynotes and seminars at dozens of prestigious Universities including Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, and West Point Academy. He has also provided leadership training on US military bases throughout the United States and Europe (Including Camp Pendleton; NSA Souda Bay on the island of Crete, Greece; and NSA Naples, Italy). His keynotes, seminars and workshops are designed to introduce people to the top traits associated with leadership and to equip them with the skills needed to lead, inspire, and motivate their teams.

Deputy Chief Viscuso was honored as an opening ceremony Keynote speaker at FDIC International in 2022, and the 2025 International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) George D. Post Instructor of the Year. This award recognizes individuals for extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training.

Throughout his career in the fire service, Frank has developed promotional exams, written more than 60 Standard Operating Guidelines, and acquired millions of dollars in grant money for his department. He has also developed probationary firefighter and apparatus driver training programs, mentorship programs, and leadership and officer development workshops. In addition to his active speaking schedule, Frank works as a consultant and helps organizations develop and establish programs and guidelines that will help their teams achieve success. Scroll down to learn more about Chief Viscuso’s presentations and books.