Fire Engineering Podcast Network

A Pre-FDIC Chat: Ladder Tactics, Constructive Criticism, and Leadership

Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka break down high-stakes decisions on the fireground, planning ahead of FDIC, and window rescues on this episode of The Command Post. They discuss consoling a terrified, conscious victim, removal options, the importance of ladder selection and placement, using tower buckets, and when to radio for more resources. The hosts also call out "keyboard cowards" who attack firefighters online, and urge constructive critique, mentorship, and humility as way to learn more. 
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
 
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/
 
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High-Rise Mayday: One Fire Chief's Account

In this episode of Mayday Monday, host Tony Carroll speaks with Chief Wells Wilson of the Alexandria (VA) Fire Department about a March 2024 working high‑rise fire that involved a Mayday.
 
A routine alarm escalated when elevators and water supply complications slowed access, smoke rapidly charged a stairwell, and firefighters who were low on air called a Mayday. Wilson—with 19 years on the job, having been recently promoted to chief—recounts operational decisions, crew coordination, the value of a dedicated driver and captain, and how training, command checklists, and clear radio language shortened response time. He candidly describes his own physiological reaction under stress and the department’s immediate medical and after‑action support. Key lessons include establishing incident routines and command tools ahead of time; empowering company officers to solve problems; front‑loading resources early; and rehearsing realistic simulations that highlight warning phrases and failure points. This conversation features useful and practical takeaways for anyone involved in high‑rise firefighting or incident command operations.

FDIC 2026 Preview: Classes, Symposiums, and the Anniversary of 9/11

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy speak with Jack Murphy about their upcoming FDIC classes, classroom offerings, and the 25th anniversary of 9/11. They break down what's new for FDIC, the ins-and-outs of opening ceremonies, hands-on evolutions, and commemorations of 9/11. They also explore responding to high-rise "superblocks," practical preincident building intelligence, and street-level recon. They preview FDIC classes, symposiums, and encourage attendees to honor responders and exchange knowledge.
 
Quick favor: take our 3-minute (anonymous) listener survey to help shape what we cover next: https://sprw.io/stt-9EB04
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

Leadership, Humility, and Patience with Nozzle Forward Founder Aaron Fields

Aaron Fields joins host Steve Shaw to discuss ways to cut through the hype in modern fire service training and leadership on this episode of Perspectives on Leadership. They argue for humility over spectacle, deliberate practice over one-off tricks, and measurement over opinion. Fields details his unconventional path into the service, explains why standard operating procedures and shared language matter, and outlines how teams build trust through consistent problem solving. The discussion also covers managing emotion during conflict and holding people accountable. And they touch on the importance of patience and long‑term change.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

Who’s Responsible When Firefighters Cross Into Mutual Aid?

Who is liable when firefighters cross into mutual aid? On this episode of Fire Service Court, John Murphy breaks down the "borrowed servant" doctrine. He explores how control, duration, equipment, and pay decide which agency is liable during mutual aid, mobilizations, and task-force deployments. Murphy details a tragic Illinois case, reviews OSHA findings, details a $31 million settlement, and explores the preventable failures. He lays out clear risk controls: written mutual-aid liability clauses, indemnification, ICS/NIMS command, cross-training, strict PAR and two-in/two-out enforcement, SCBA tracking, and robust documentation.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

The Blueprint to Modern Construction

How are rapid changes in building materials and construction methods outpacing firefighter training? On this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline and guest Christopher Naum argue for a return to rigorous, formalized building-construction literacy, from basic firefighter responsibilities to company officer and commander levels, and outline suggested training targets. They explain the "building as battleground” concept, the limits of on‑the‑job and diluted in‑service instruction, and why architecture, engineering, and fire dynamics must be integrated into curricula.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

Are You Staying Relevant?

What is professional relevance and do you have it? On this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with Brian Zaitz, assistant chief of the Kirkwood (MO) Fire Department and president of the ISFSI, to discuss four critical pillars of professional relevance in today's fire service: being active, staying current, building meaningful relationships, and delivering effective training. 
 
The two draw from national-level insights and frontline experience. They challenge firefighters and officers to evaluate whether they are growing—or simply showing up. Conley and Zaitz also provide perspective on the direction of the fire service and the responsibility of its members to remain engaged, informed, and prepared.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

FDIC 2026: NextGen Fire Rescue Tech Summit Preview

With FDIC right around the corner, host Eddie Buchanan and guests Mike Cox, Trevor Wilson, and Kirk McKinzie preview the NextGen Fire Rescue Tech Summit. They discuss how real-time sensor streams, AI, and indoor 3D mapping will change command, mutual aid, and firefighter safety. They explore actionable use cases—near‑real‑time decision support, resource tracking across jurisdictions, and tabletop-to-field workflows—and urge bridging research pilots to scalable deployments with policy guardrails. Tune in for a preview to sessions, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations they'll be hosting at FDIC.
 
This podcast is brought to you by Esri: https://www.esri.com/en-us/home

Training for the Worst Shift of Your Career

The most grueling fire of your career may not wait for you to have seniority. In fact, it can easily happen on a rookie’s second shift. Or first! So the fire service must handle health and safety training with the same urgency as it does for fireground operations. On this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down with seasoned fire chief and FDIC instructor Dennis Reilly to discuss the weight of cancer in the fire service, professional legacy, leadership roles, and FDIC. They also explore the obligation veterans have to mentor the next generation and why every minute of training is an investment in someone else's survival.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/

How to Achieve Tactical Excellence

What is the role of leadership? And how can it shape an "aggressive" fire service culture? 
 
On this episode of Tactical Impact, hosts Jason Hoevelmann and Jim Silvernail welcome Jamie Young and Joe Gragnani to the show. They explore how to move beyond clichés and how to build organizations that prioritize tactical excellence. They discuss the "Four Pillars" of departments: running calls, training to run calls, mastering tradecraft, and everything else. Young and Gragnani share how they transitioned a "storied" department toward a search-heavy, "victims until proven otherwise" mindset, supported by a significant investment in off-duty training and strong labor-management relationships. They explore why today's toxic fuel loads demand a smarter, more proactive breed of firefighter and firehouse culture.
 
This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/
This episode is brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.firefacilities.com/