Fire Engineering Podcast Network

One Firefighter’s Firsthand Account of a Devastating Gas Explosion

Mayday Monday marks its 50th episode with a closeup look into a harrowing gas explosion incident in Loudoun County, Virginia. Fairfax County (VA) Battalion Chief Matt Burns, who directed crews from Loudoun County (VA) Rescue 635 and Fairfax County Rescue 493 along with other responding units, shares his frontline experience responding to this catastrophic event. 
 
Burns details the challenges of hazardous conditions, communication breakdowns, and rapid decision-making under pressure. The discussion reveals the complexity of coordinating volunteer and career firefighters, highlights the critical importance of knowing your teams and areas, and underscores how practiced radio protocols can save lives. Burns recounts the intense efforts to rescue trapped firefighters amid collapsed structures and thick smoke, illustrating the resilience and adaptability demanded by such emergencies.

Fire Chiefs on Navigating Change and Culture in New Departments

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy talk about journeys transitioning into leadership roles within new fire departments. They welcome guests Jim Trzaski, chief of the Middletown South (CT) Fire District, and Jim Buck, chief of the Wallingford (CT) Fire Department. During their discussion, the guests reveal the realities of stepping into established cultures, managing both operational and political challenges, and earning trust from seasoned personnel. Their experiences highlight the importance of listening, building authentic relationships, and embracing collaboration across ranks to drive meaningful change. Trzaski and Buck also discuss succession planning, adapting to differing department sizes, and the critical balance between authority and responsibility. 

Insights on Teamwork, Leadership, and Legacy with Mark Rossi

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down with Mark Rossi to explore what truly makes a firehouse crew great. With 20 years in the fire service, Rossi shares lessons on fostering trust, empowering team members, and creating a culture where every role, from rookie to seasoned firefighter, matters. He emphasizes the power of genuine connection, ongoing training, and leading by example to build resilient, motivated teams that rise to any challenge. Rossi also reflects on the importance of honoring tradition through his volunteer work with the Black Pearl Pipes and Drums, and offers candid thoughts on preparing for retirement. 

Family First: Balancing Leadership at Home and On Duty

In this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with his son Joshua to explore the unique challenges firefighters face in balancing family life and the demands of their profession. Reflecting on over a decade of fire service experience and recent personal losses, Larry emphasizes the importance of not letting the firefighting family overshadow family at home. Joshua shares his perspective on growing up with a firefighter dad, revealing the complexities that come with irregular shifts, missed holidays, and the emotional distance that sometimes follows. 
With candid, unpolished conversation and mutual respect, they discuss how personal leadership starts at home, and how nurturing those relationships strengthens one’s ability to lead effectively in the field. 

Leveraging Data for Community Risk Reduction with NERIS

During this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Mike Cox, director of Fire & EMS Solutions, Esri; Baylie Scott, research scientist for UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute; and Jason Orellana, community risk reduction specialist for the Cape Coral (FL) Fire Department. 
During this discussion on leveraging data for community risk reduction in the age of NERIS, the panel experts talk about what to expect from the new NERIS platform and how fire departments can make the most of this new system. No matter the size of your department or if don't have a formal CRR function yet, you can learn how to leverage these new data capabilities.

Inside the Fire Marshal's Office with Billy Hux

In this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn welcomes Billy Hux, the chief state fire marshal in Virginia. Hux brings nearly three decades of fire service experience to the conversation, which explores the critical role of fire marshals, including code enforcement, fire prevention, arson investigation, and public education. During the discussion, Hux sheds light on the complexity of code adoption and enforcement, the evolving nature of fire service training, and the vital need for ongoing education in the face of new hazards like energy storage systems. The conversation also addresses leadership challenges, including succession planning and bridging generational gaps within the fire service. 

Firehouse Leadership: Making Dysfunction Work

On this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman welcomes Assistant Chief Brandon Roark from the South Bend (IN) Fire Department. They discuss Roark's program, “The High-Functioning Dysfunctional Fire Department," and Roark reflects on personal experiences from his life and career as he explains the process of developing high-functioning teams.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Navigating NFPA Standards to Avoid Criminal Liability and Lawsuits

This episode of Fire Service Court explores the complex role NFPA standards play in firefighting operations, criminal cases, and civil litigation. Hosts Brad Pinsky, John K. Murphy, Chip Comstock, and Curt Varone discuss how failing to understand or comply with NFPA guidelines can lead to devastating outcomes, including jail time and a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. They examine a 2002 New York case where ignorance of NFPA standards led to criminal manslaughter charges, illustrating the real-life stakes of compliance. 
The panel stresses that while NFPA standards are valuable safety benchmarks, they are not absolute law. They highlight the critical need for fire departments to audit compliance, educate personnel, and engage expert legal and operational defense. Through practical advice, including checklist implementation and risk management, this episode equips firefighters and chiefs to protect both their teams and their departments from legal and safety pitfalls.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com
 

Talkin’ Tactics Year Two Wrap-Up: Goals for 2026 in the Fire Service

Marking the end of year two for the Talkin' Tactics podcast, hosts Robert "RJ" James, lieutenant from Frederick County (MD) Fire and Rescue; Sam Villani, battalion chief from Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue; and David Polikoff, assistant chief from Frederick County Fire and Rescue, reflect on their individual journeys, fire service leadership challenges, and their plans for 2026. They emphasize the importance of early preparation for promotional exams, mentoring future leaders, and maintaining clear communication and discipline. They also look ahead to upcoming training opportunities, policy updates, and FDIC 2026.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Fire Service Culture and Lessons from the Line

In this episode of The Backstep Boys, hosts Ron Kanterman and Tom Aurnhammer explore the nuances of fire service culture, leadership challenges, and the legacy that shapes today’s firefighters. From Aurnhammer's long-awaited trip to a West Point football game, rich with history and tradition, to profound discussions on organizational culture inspired by pioneers like Edgar Schein and Dr. Kim Allen, the conversation unpacks the ways culture drives behavior, impacts safety, and defines leadership effectiveness. This episode offers a thought-provoking look at what it truly means to lead and belong in the fire service today.
 
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com