HC0043 - Leadership, Culture & Fireground Lessons Featuring: Corley Moore

In this episode, we welcome Chief Corley Moore, retired battalion chief, author, podcaster, and the mind behind Firehouse Vigilance. Known for his thought leadership in fire service culture, leadership development, and his popular “Weekly Scrap” podcast, Corley shares his personal journey from a young father working dead-end jobs to becoming a leader and voice in the fire service.

This episode is packed with relatable stories, valuable leadership principles, reflections on organizational culture, and a deep dive into the importance of training, humility, and continual growth within the fire service.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps:

0:00 – 1:04 | Introduction & Guest Welcome

Introduction to Chief Corley Moore, his background, and work with Firehouse Vigilance.

1:05 – 3:37 | Wheel of Stupid Questions

Corley reveals his nerdy side, including his love for sci-fi, D&D, and 80s fantasy trivia.

3:38 – 10:48 | Corley’s Firefighting Origin Story

From marrying young and raising three kids by 23 to joining the fire service by chance, Corley shares how he found his calling.

10:49 – 18:28 | Early Career & Moore FD Culture

What the Moore FD was like in the late ‘90s, from frat-house vibes to a lack of training, and the slow shift toward professionalism.

18:29 – 25:49 | The Culture Shift & Value of Training

Corley recounts the challenges and triumphs in shifting from complacency to a culture of excellence—and how training became the cornerstone.

25:50 – 33:03 | Leadership Journey & Writing Process

Corley discusses his passion for leadership, the origins of his “Nine L’s,” and how laying tile taught him to write books.

33:04 – 37:11 | First Fire & Lessons Learned

Corley recalls his first real fire, the adrenaline, the mistakes, and the lessons about preparedness and training.

37:12 – 44:00 | Promotions, Growth, and Self-Assessment

Reflections on career transitions—from firefighter to driver, to company officer, and eventually to BC—plus what skills matter at each step.

44:01 – 59:28 | Leadership Standards & Culture Creation

Deep dive into setting expectations, accountability, and servant leadership—plus the challenge of promoting healthy firehouse culture.

59:29 – End | Staying Engaged, Building Impact, and Final Reflections

How high-performing leaders stay motivated, the role of conferences, and why expectations at the top determine performance at the bottom.

Resources & References:

Corley Moore’s Work:

• Firehouse Vigilance Website
• The Nine L’s of Leadership – Book
• Weekly Scrap Podcast: Interviews with fire service leaders
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About the Guest – Chief Corley Moore:

Chief Corley Moore is a retired battalion chief from the Moore Fire Department in Oklahoma, with over 28 years of service. He is the founder of Firehouse Vigilance, host of the Weekly Scrap podcast, and author of The Nine L’s of Leadership. His mission is to fight complacency and raise the standard of fire service culture through training, accountability, and meaningful leadership.