Leading Through the Fire: Trust, Resilience, and Breaking the Mold with Chief Trisha Wolford

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In the world of emergency services, leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about carrying the weight of those decisions when lives are on the line.

In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast, host Chief Randy Bruegman sat down with Trisha Wolford, the Fire Chief of Anne Arundel County and one of only three women to ever serve as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Their conversation is a masterclass in poised, principled leadership, exploring what it takes to earn respect in a male-dominated field and how to navigate the "crucible moments" that forge a great leader.

From Graphic Design to the Fire Academy

Chief Wolford’s journey didn’t start on a fire engine. Although she grew up in a firefighting family in Rockford, Illinois—fondly remembering sliding down the fire pole as a five-year-old—she initially pursued a career in art and graphic design.

The "aha" moment came while she was out sick with bronchitis. Returning to work, she realized that while her tasks were being completed, her personal impact was missing. "I was totally unfulfilled," she shares. "I needed to do something with more of an impact."

This transition highlights a vital lesson for any professional: Leadership begins with finding a purpose that aligns with your soul.

The Power of the "Leap of Faith"

One of the most defining moments in Wolford’s career was the decision to leave her "home" department in Maryland after ten years to take a role in Bozeman, Montana.

At the time, she wasn't even vested in her pension, but she felt a hunger for growth that couldn't be satisfied by waiting for the traditional rank system to catch up to her ambition.

The Lesson: Growth often requires leaving your comfort zone.
The Result: In Bozeman, she learned the "business" side of fire service—negotiating contracts, strategic planning, and managing a budget—skills that eventually paved her way back to Maryland as Fire Chief.

Leading at the National Level: The IAFC Presidency

Now serving as the President of the IAFC, Chief Wolford has a unique vantage point on the global state of leadership. She emphasizes that whether you are leading a small volunteer department or a massive metro agency, the challenges of sustainable funding and technology adaptation (like AI) are universal.

She advocates for a move away from the "do more with less" mantra, instead challenging leaders and politicians to define their priorities clearly.

Managing Decision Fatigue and Burnout

High-stakes leadership carries a heavy physical and mental toll. Chief Wolford candidly describes "decision fatigue," noting that sometimes "her face hurts" from the strain of tough choices.

To stay grounded, she relies on:

Honest Circles: Maintaining friends and family who knew her before she was "The Chief" and who aren't afraid to tell her to "dial down the chief stuff".
Physical Discipline: Using yoga as a space where no one can talk to her and she can simply follow directions.
Digital Boundaries: Customizing notification tones so she can distinguish between an "immediate action" crisis and a message that can wait.

Leaving a Legacy

For Chief Wolford, the ultimate goal of leadership is simple: Leave it better than you found it. Whether she is mentoring the next generation or advocating for firefighter safety on Capitol Hill, her focus remains on paying it forward.

"Who you are as a human is a huge part of this. It’s part of what helps you elevate in your roles... your personality and your commitment can make a difference every day."