The crew welcomes Captain Jeremy Mathis of the Covington (GA) FD and member of the FAST Rescue Solutions to the show to talk about one of the most important concepts in not only the fire service, but also in life: BALANCE. The crew dives into keys to living a balanced life, the work/life balance as well as balance in the firehouse. We also discuss challenges in the suburban fire service setting and share some of Jeremy's experiences along the way. Grab your beverage of choice and enjoy!

Chief Dave McGlynn of the Letterkenny (PA) FD and owner of Passion in Leading LLC joins the show to discuss all things leadership and training! Do you have what it takes to elevate your leadership? Do you have what it takes to take your department's training to the next level? This episode will challenge you to BE more passionate, effective and resourceful. Don't miss out on this epic conversation!

Nick welcomes Cobb County (GA) Capt. and UL FSRI technical panel member, Sean Gray to the show to take a 2-hour deep dive into some of the amazing research being conducted by the UL FSRI. Sean shares his insights into the research, holds court on the topic of fire dynamics and how it relates to the modern fireground, and shares his tactical experiences over the last 3 decades of his fire service journey.  If you want to nerd out on some research and how it translates to the streets, you're in luck! This is definitely the episode for you!

Sean and Nick welcome special guest, Fire Chief (ret.) and owner of First Line Fire Service Training LLC, Dennis Reilly! The chief gives us some great insight in regard to the standards we hold. This is a deep dive examining personal, cultural, professional, and organizational standards and expectations. The conversation also reviews physical fitness in the fire service, training with a purpose and being a change agent in your corner of the fire service. With nearly 5 decades of experience in every rank from firefighter to fire chief, you don't want to miss this amazing conversation with one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable firemen you'll ever meet. Chief Reilly is doing great things to continue moving the needle forward and for that we are grateful to spend a couple hours learning from one of the best!

Nick welcomes good friend and fellow hard-charger JD Ducharme to the show to discuss WHY we are here. They dive headfirst into mission mindset, building a culture of excellence, training and preparation, and risk management/aversion in the fire service. If you're looking for a feel good, pat on the back kind of show, this isn't the episode for you. This is a fast-paced, no-holds-bar, unapologetically blue-collar examination our beloved fire service. So, buckle your seatbelt, Dorothy. You're not in Kansas anymore!

Sean and Nick welcome Zach Bruhn to the show to discuss engine ops, training and leadership! Zach is a Major with the Oklahoma City FD, is and instructor at Oklahoma State University, and owns Precision Fire Service Consulting. He gives us the skinny on engine ops OKC style including an examination of how they have perfected the use of the Metro Load in their organization. The crew then dives into training mindset. We discuss the importance of building a solid foundation but then introducing variables to our drills. Finally, we take a look at the impact of leadership and its importance particularly in the early stages of a firefighter's career. Grab a tasty beverage and enjoy!

Nick and Sean welcome Estero (FL) Fire Rescue Division Chief of Operations and Training, Grant Schwalbe to the show to talk grabs. This fast-paced, action-packed episode takes a look at search and rescue best practices for both searching and removing fire victims. We also discuss some of the excellent programs Grant is part of including When Things Go Bad and the "Grabs" podcast and their impact on the fire service. Finally, we discuss the importance of balance and paying it forward in the fire service, with an emphasis on mentoring and sharing information and opportunities.

Join Nick and Sean with our friend and guest, Dep. Chief (ret.) Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara (CA) County Fire Department. The crew unpacks some practical tools in this banger of an episode talking all things leadership! From new members to company officers to chief officers of all ranks, this episode hits on the needed traits, skills and the challenges faced at each respective level. Steve drops some insight into what it takes to be an effective leader and how to navigate the organizational waters successfully.

This is the episode you've been searching for (see what I did there). Seriously though. Dustin Martinez of Cobb County (GA) FD and Reformation Training absolutely lays down the gauntlet when it comes to search and rescue in this full-throttle, tactics heavy episode. This is blue-collar, firehouse table style learning at its best! (Disclaimer: no paramedics were harmed in the making of this episode)

2 hours of laughs, passion and knowledge with the one and only, Jake Barnes. Jake is the Battalion Chief of Training at the New Albany (IN) Fire Department, is an instructor with ISFSI having taught multiple times at the FDNY's "The Rock" and has instructed at numerous fire conferences around the country including FDIC. Jake is also the host of the 3 Point Firefighter Podcast. This conversation lays down the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful as an instructor, the pitfalls and obstacles that must be avoided and overcome to be successful long term, and ultimately understanding your "why" behind sharing your knowledge, passion and skills. The crew dives into the mental aspect of the job and how psychology affects our performance on the fireground. Finally, we discuss the importance of preparation and conditioning. Buckle your seat belts, it's Barnes time!

Our good friend and all-around badass fireman, Devin Craig joins the show to spread the cure to the masses. Devin is a Captain in the FD in the Houston (TX) metro area and has been doing work for the past 20 years. He brings a level of passion, humor and tenacity that's evident from the moment you meet him. In this episode we discuss the Train or Die group (which he is co-founder of), his Lazy to Leader class, the importance of discipline, dedication and drive in the fire service. Finally, we dive into some things that help short-staffed departments be more effective and true force multipliers on the fire ground and beyond. This episode is a kick in the ass to get up and do work EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  P.S. it's ok to have fun doing it!

Sean and Nick welcome our good buddy and all-around badass fireman, Wyatt McCall to the show to dive into building performance-based culture, the importance of attitude, leadership at the company level and the criticality of having a training mindset on the job. This unfiltered, raw conversation is just what the doctor ordered to get your batteries charged up and get you motivated to keep crushing it in your firehouse!

We welcome our good friend and lover of all things forcible entry, Robert (RJ) James to Episode 33 for a fast-paced, fun (ok...seriously it was a blast!) conversation on all things forcible entry.  RJ is a Lieutenant with the Frederick County (MD) Fire-Rescue and a lead instructor with Capitol Fire Training. In this episode we discuss conventional, gas-powered and thru-the-lock forcible entry, tactical size ups, gas powered saws and more! The importance of forcible entry cannot be overstated. Forcible entry is not just a Truck Co. skill like it's often dubbed, but rather a fire service skill that applies to all firefighters regardless of the rig you're assigned to. If we can't get into the building fire attack doesn't happen, searches aren't completed, and victims are not removed. It really is that simple. This episode provides some great starting points for those looking to expand their forcible entry horizons and is one you don't want to miss!

Oshkosh (WI) FD fireman and Old-Fashioned FOOLS President Rick Guerra joins the show to share his journey from a young Milwaukee (WI) fireman to an Aurora (CO) jake, and then finally back home to Wisconsin again. We discuss lateral entry and how it has impacted the fire service. We chat about training, health and fitness. We dive into the FOOLS and what they represent. Rick discusses what the FOOLS have meant to him and his career development, as well as the opportunities provided by the FOOLS to bring quality training, build camaraderie, and to take care of our own in this fast-paced, no-nonsense conversation on all things firemanship!

We were stoked to welcome Lt. Tyler Whitfield of Clearwater (FL) Fire-Rescue to the show. The crew discuses several topics including the importance of building a the proper mindset towards training, challenges of being a new company officer, and finally a snapshot look at Tyler's new class "The Grab Factory" (not to be confused with "The Grab Lab" which I (Nick) inadvertently called Tyler's class during the show (Sorry Dustin and Nick L). This was a truly great conversation centered around loving the job and staying disciplined and motivated even when it's not easy. The episode is dedicated to fallen brother, James Michael Muller of the Irmo (SC) Fire Department.

We were honored to have special guest John Spera of South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue and Fit to Fight Fire on the show to discuss his journey in the fire service. We dive into fitness and its importance and impact on the fire ground. We discussed mental and emotional health. We dive into the lateral entry hiring and the opportunities and challenges that go with it.  Finally, John and Nick share the impact their faith has had in shaping their lives and careers.  This is a real look at the pillars of any successful life in the fire service and a message that we hope will resonate with so many in our profession.

In this episode we welcome our good friend and mentor, Jason Liska to the show to discuss training and mentoring new and experienced members. We also dive into how culture influences our expectations, training and mentorship. Finally, the crew takes a look at recruitment and retention in the fire service. Make no mistake, this episode pulls no punches and is raw, unedited and maybe even a little uncomfortable at times. However, it is a needed conversation about some of the hardest challenges facing the fire service today and one we are extremely passionate about. Finally, we hope that you'll accept the challenge to be better, do better and leave the job better!

Jonathan Brumley of Denver (CO) Fire Department joins the show to discuss engine company operations. This episode is jam packed with excellent discussion on hose loads, engine company mindset, nozzles, nozzle reaction, and what it takes to be a successful engine firefighter. Jonathan hones in on attack packages and medium diameter hose in particular discussing training, hose line management and tips for successfully implementing the "big line" on your fireground. If you're assigned to the engine, love all things water, or simply enjoy learning from stand-up firemen, this is the episode for you!

Sean and Nick welcome special guest Battalion Chief and Owner/Lead Instructor with Insight Training LLC, Andy Starnes to the show to discuss all things thermal imaging. This fast paced, highly informative episode takes a hard look at one of the most important, yet often underutilized tools on the fireground. Andy absolutely takes us to school with over 2 hours of knowledge, experience and passion!  From technical information to tactical use and operational suggestions, to training concepts this episode has a little bit of everything.  If you want to know more about thermal imaging, this is the episode for you. Buckle up because it's a helluva ride. Enjoy!

Join Sean and Nick as they welcome training officer Brian Weigle of the Elmira Heights (NY) FD to the show. We discuss what it takes to run a training event. We also dive into training, culture, recruitment and retention specifically in the volunteer and/or combination setting. The team dives into the "why" behind these factors and how they impact our departments, our members and our very mission. Finally, we discuss engine work and what that means in low-staffing situations. Hopefully you have as much fun as we did recording this one!