Leading Across the State: Chief Brad White on Wildfire, Public Trust, and the Future of Colorado’s Fire Service

In this episode of the Convergent Impact Leadership Podcast, Chief Brad White—Fire Chief of Grand Fire Protection District No. 1 and President of the Board of Directors for the Colorado State Fire Chiefs—shares candid insights on the challenges and responsibilities facing today’s fire service leaders. Drawing from his experience during the East Troublesome Fire and his current statewide leadership role, Chief White reflects on how local leadership, regional coordination, and public trust all intersect.

From navigating the realities of land use to representing chiefs across Colorado, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at fire service leadership in high-stakes, high-visibility environments.

🔥 Tune in to hear:

✅ Lessons from East Troublesome and how they shaped statewide wildfire perspectives

✅ Why land use and development are fire service issues—and leadership ones

✅ What it means to represent fire chiefs from every corner of Colorado

✅ How to bridge local decision-making with regional coordination and mutual aid

✅ The connection between training culture and budget credibility

✅ Why humility, communication, and service-first thinking still matter most

Whether you're a frontline officer or a statewide decision-maker, this episode offers a grounded and timely perspective on what the fire service needs next—and what kind of leadership will get us there.