Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Tailboard Talk: Preparing for the Unthinkable

Tailboard Talk: Preparing for the Unthinkable
 
In this episode of Tailboard Talk, hosts Craig Nelson, Jeff Wallin, and Chris Rasmussen look at the realities of modern emergency response across North America. They discuss the increasing wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada, severe floods in Texas and North Dakota, and the vital role of interagency cooperation in disaster management. Drawing from recent tornado damage and community-led recovery efforts, the hosts emphasize the importance of preplanning, mutual-aid networks, and dynamic staffing strategies for public safety. They highlight how small-town departments must build relationships with neighboring agencies, public works, and emergency managers to effectively respond to large-scale crises.

The Command Post: Advice to the New Company Officer

The Command Post: Advice to the New Company Officer In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka share important guidance for firefighters stepping into company officer roles. Drawing from decades of their own frontline and command experience, they emphasize the importance of preparation, mentorship, and embracing the full scope of officer responsibilities beyond firefighting. Learn firsthand how leadership involves mastering communication, enforcing discipline, and handling administrative duties as much as commanding on the fireground. The hosts highlight critical points like knowing when to say no, setting clear expectations, and the ongoing need for training as the foundation of safety and effectiveness. Real-life stories underscore the necessity of evolving from crew member to respected boss, modeling professionalism in every action while fostering the growth of future leaders. This episode offers a realistic look at challenges new officers face and realistic advice to tackle those challenges head-on. 

Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Understanding NERIS

Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Understanding NERIS
 
In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Tom Jenkins, a fire service veteran and senior advisor at Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. They discuss the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). Set to replace the decades-old National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) by January 1, 2026, NERIS introduces a modern, streamlined approach to fire incident data collection. The conversation covers the evolution from NFIRS, key improvements like geospatial data integration and tactical timestamps, and how this data will empower departments in training, resource allocation, and firefighter safety. Jenkins also discusses the rollout process, accessibility via a free app, vendor integration, and the cultural shift required for accurate reporting. Fire departments of all sizes—career or volunteer—will find helpful guidance here for transitioning to NERIS, a system designed to better capture the realities of today’s fire service and support firefighters nationwide. 

Fireground Strategies: Heat, Hydration, and The Human Factor

Fireground Strategies: Heat, Hydration, and The Human Factor
 
In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Jim Duffy and Anthony Avillo cover the critical challenges firefighters face battling extreme heat. They explore how scorching temperatures and high humidity impact operational effectiveness and safety, emphasizing the strain on cardiovascular health, hydration needs, and the importance of strict rehab policies on the fireground. Candid insights reveal the human factors—ego, emotion, and physical fitness—that influence decision making under stress. Duffy and Avillo discuss best practices for managing heat injuries, the value of mutual aid during multi-alarm incidents, and the evolving realities of volunteer departments struggling with aging personnel and staffing shortages. Through real-life stories and practical advice, they underscore why proactive preparation, effective hydration, and continuous training remain vital.  

Perspectives on Leadership: Advocacy, Connection, and Succession with Lindsay Judah

Perspectives on Leadership: Advocacy, Connection, and Succession with Lindsay Judah
 
In this insightful episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw welcomes Lindsay Judah to explore the multifaceted responsibilities that define modern fire service leadership. Judah shares her extensive journey from firefighter to rescue chief and consultant, highlighting her passion for advocacy, education, and advancing firefighter safety. They discuss the Firefighter Mayday Survey’s critical role, navigating vulnerability in sharing difficult experiences, and the importance of consistent, authentic engagement with crews. Lindsay emphasizes fostering psychological safety, encouraging professional development, and acknowledging the powerful impact of recognizing personnel—not just for the individual, but also their families. They also talk about strategies for bridging research and field operations, mentoring future leaders, and the value of “plus one” thinking to build succession pipelines. 

The Training Officer: Leadership, Legacy, and Mental Health with Danny Arroyo

The Training Officer: Leadership, Legacy, and Mental Health with Danny Arroyo
 
In this episode of The Training Officer, Danny Arroyo of Perth Amboy, NJ, shares candid insights from his 23-year career in the fire service. As a battalion chief and training officer, Arroyo discusses the critical balance of leading training divisions, managing seasonal operational demands, and fostering a culture of safety and transparency. He debunks common misconceptions about the training officer role, emphasizing the importance of delegation and empowering all ranks to take part in education. Arroyo goes beyond operational strategy and opens up on the mental toll leadership can take, advocating for mental health awareness and self-care in an often-overwhelming profession. His commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy resonates throughout, inspiring new and seasoned training officers alike to build stronger, safer fire departments.

The Larry Conley Show: Healthy Minds

The Larry Conley Show: Healthy Minds On this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with Kelsey Perkins, MSW, LCSW. Perkins is a trauma therapist who works with first responders. They discuss PTSD, EMDR therapy, the Healthy Minds Initiative, and why asking for help is a sign of leadership—not weakness. Conley gets real about his own story. His losses. His struggles. And how he is still learning to navigate it all. If you're a firefighter, police officer, EMS dispatcher—or love someone who is—tune in for one of the most personal conversations this show has seen.

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Artificial Intelligence

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Artificial Intelligence
In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, Eddie Buchanan sits down with Holly Buchenroth and Jeff Butcher to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on fire service training and operations. Drawing from their extensive experience in emergency medical education and firefighting, they break down AI’s role—from generative tools like ChatGPT and Magic School enhancing paramedic simulations to advanced data integration enabling real-time situational awareness for incident commanders. Discover how AI can customize learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks like report writing, and support dynamic decision-making at emergency scenes using augmented reality and IoT data. They tackle common fears and misconceptions about AI, emphasizing practical steps for departments to start integrating accessible AI tools today. Whether you’re a fire instructor or a battalion chief, this discussion offers tangible insights into leveraging AI to improve outcomes, efficiency, and safety in the fire service’s evolving landscape."

BuildingsonFire: Row House Challenges, Construction, and Operations Part 3

BuildingsonFire: Row House Challenges, Construction, and Operations Part 3
In this episode of the BuildingsonFire podcast, host Christopher Naum dives into the complexities of rowhouse construction and its direct impact on firefighter safety and fireground operations. Drawing from recent line-of-duty death investigations in Baltimore and Philadelphia, Naum highlights how predictable building features and subtle variations like the presence of Formstone facades can drastically influence fire behavior and structural integrity. Naum explores regional construction methods and the challenges posed by aging materials such as eastern hemlock wood. He also looks at the consequences of overlooked architectural elements that contribute to collapse risks. 

Women in Fire: Peer Support, Therapy, and Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Service

Women in Fire: Peer Support, Therapy, and Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Service
 
In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker explores mental health challenges faced by firefighters and first responders. Baker welcomes guest Taylor Montey, a lieutenant with Poudre Fire Authority, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Julie Nelson, a firefighter-paramedic with South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue on to discuss the importance of early education on mental health within fire academies and the critical role peer support plays throughout a firefighter’s career.
 
They break down effective therapies like EMDR and highlight how physical fitness and mindfulness practices can dramatically improve resilience. The conversation also addresses the long-lasting stigma around mental health in emergency services and how growing openness and education are shifting that culture.
 
Listeners will find a comprehensive overview of mental health resources tailored for first responders, including programs from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The dialogue touches on the impact of media and social media on mental well-being, practical signs to watch for among teammates, and the neuroscience behind trauma and recovery.