Living in the Gap

In this episode of The 5% Podcast, Fire Captain Mike Norris explores the critical mental space that exists between stimulus and response on the fireground—what he calls the gap between action and emotion.

That fraction of a second is where decisions are made—or missed. It’s also where Controlled Tactical Aggression (CTA) begins.

We kick off with a heartfelt tribute to two brothers lost in the line of duty:

• Captain David Meyer of the Chicago Fire Department, who died during a roof collapse while operating at a garage fire, and

• Firefighter-Paramedic Graham Hoffman of the Kansas City Fire Department, who was tragically killed while transporting a patient.

Their service, sacrifice, and leadership set the tone for an episode focused on mental clarity, tactical patience, and real leadership under pressure.

Drawing lessons from The Men, The Mission, and Me by Pete Blaber, Mike walks through the mental framework behind CTA—giving firefighters tools to operate with intensity and discipline in moments where emotional reaction can cost lives.

🔥 Show Notes:

In this episode, we cover:

• A tribute to fallen firefighters Captain David Meyer (Chicago FD) and FF/PM Graham Hoffman (KCFD)

• What the “mental gap” is—and why it matters more than ever

• How Controlled Tactical Aggression helps firefighters operate with clarity under chaos

• Training methods for improving decision control under stress

• Fireground psychology, mental mapping, and the importance of tactical pauses

• Quotes and mindset principles from The Men, The Mission, and Me by Pete Blaber

If you lead, if you train, if you ride the front seat—this episode is for you. Train hard. Think clear. Lead with purpose. Only 5% will.