We are proud to work alongside extraordinary public safety leaders as Lexipol Consultants who continue their service long after their active careers end. These individuals bring decades of real-world experience, offering valuable insights that shape the solutions we provide to first responders. Among our Lexipol Consultants is Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, a nationally recognized fire service leader whose passion for firefighter health, survival, safety, leadership and institutional knowledge continues to influence the next generation.
A Lifelong Commitment to Firefighter Safety and Service
For Billy Goldfeder, a life dedicated to the fire service began early, and it never paused. “I’ve been interested in this work since I was a kid,” he says. Billy has spent more than five decades committed to protecting firefighters and improving the fire service.
Billy’s relationship with Lexipol began long before the company became a leader in public safety solutions. In the late 1990s, Billy began collaborating with Lexipol co-founder Gordon Graham as Lexipol was just starting to take shape. Their shared passion for risk management and learning from past incidents led to the creation of FirefighterCloseCalls.com, a resource funded by Gordon and maintained by Billy and a team of volunteers to share critical safety information without commercial influence.
In 2006, Billy played a key role in helping Lexipol launch its fire service policy solution, contributing his knowledge and real-world insights to shape what would become the first of many offerings for the fire service. Today, Billy continues to influence Lexipol’s efforts, ensuring the company remains deeply connected to the needs of the fire service community.
“I’m not a spokesperson or salesperson,” Billy says. “I’m a firefighter who’s proud to help guide Lexipol to stay relevant and effective for those on the front lines.”
Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future
Billy’s commitment to firefighter safety was cemented early in his career after witnessing multiple line-of-duty deaths on Long Island. “At that time, deaths were often seen as an unfortunate but accepted part of the job,” he recalls. “But I knew we had to (and we could do) more than mourn. We had to learn.”
This belief has driven Billy’s career-long focus on institutional knowledge: understanding past tragedies to improve future outcomes. He emphasizes that learning from previous incidents is essential for firefighter survival and organizational improvement. “It’s not about criticizing, it’s about getting better, together,” he explains. “One of the best ways we can honor a fallen firefighter is to learn the facts of what happened, and if avoidable, learn how we cannot repeat tragic history.”
Drawing from this passion, Billy authored the Pass It On – What We Know, What We Want You to Know book series, where he and several hundred contributors share their lessons, thoughts and advice.
Billy most recently co-authored 30 Fires You Must Know, a nonprofit book designed to preserve the stories of modern, recent critical incidents and ensure today’s firefighters, and tomorrow’s, have access to the lessons of the past. Each chapter recounts a major fire, includes contributions from those who were there, and provides actionable drills to help firefighters apply what they’ve learned. Committed to making these lessons widely accessible, Billy actively writes articles and columns through his newsletter, “The Secret List” determined to put practical, life-saving knowledge into the hands of as many firefighters as possible. His work reflects a deep dedication to preparing the next generation to be smarter and stronger on the fireground.
Never Stop Learning: Advice for Today’s Firefighters
Billy’s advice for today’s firefighters is simple and powerful:
“You can’t stop learning. If you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind.”
Even after 50+ years in the service, Billy continues working as a deputy chief and attends training exercises, participates in incident command drills, and instructs. His message to young firefighters is, “If your family needed help, would you want you to show up? That’s the standard we should all hold ourselves to,” he says.
He encourages all firefighters, regardless of rank, to stay engaged, value constructive criticism, and always seek new knowledge: “Our environment changes, our equipment changes, our communities change, so we have to change too.”
Continuing the Mission with Lexipol
At Lexipol, Billy’s role extends beyond consulting. He’s a trusted voice, consistently reminding leadership of what matters most to the fire service. From advising on product development to supporting training and wellness initiatives, Billy keeps Lexipol closely aligned with the real-world needs of fire departments.
“My responsibility is to make sure Lexipol’s leadership understands that fire service solutions must be realistic, meaningful, practical, and driven by what firefighters truly need to succeed and survive,” he says.
Billy Goldfeder’s ongoing career is a testament to the power of continuous learning, servant leadership, and unwavering dedication. We are honored to have him as part of the Lexipol team as a Lexipol Consultants, helping us fulfill our mission to support those who safeguard our communities, today and for generations to come.
