Fire Engineering Podcast

What does it take to perform under extreme pressure when lives are on the line?
 
In this episode, retired FDNY Deputy Chief Thomas Dunne shares insights from 33 years on the job and his book "Pressure Proof: A Guide to Performing Under Stress." From real fireground incidents to high-level leadership, he breaks down how to stay focused, make decisions, and lead with confidence under stress.
 
🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:
 
How to manage stress as responsibility increases
Why fear can be a powerful tool
The importance of command presence and clear communication
The “3 W’s” (Who, Where, Water) for better decision-making
How the “power of pause” prevents costly mistakes
 
Whether you're in firefighting, leadership, or any high-pressure role, these lessons will help you perform when it matters most.
 
#Firefighting #Leadership #FDNY #StressManagement #DecisionMaking

How do you rebuild firehouse community? Host Larry Conley reflects on the lost art of firehouse community and building trust for this episode of The Larry Conley Show. He draws on 33 years on the job, discussing how technology, private rooms, and routines have eroded "community currency." Conley outlines practical steps to rebuild cohesion and reviews the EMPOWER (Envision, Mutual Victory, Proactive, Organize Priorities, Work Together, Empathetic Listening, Recharge) framework.

Pete Prochilo sits down with Jason Cerrano, director of R&D at IDEX Fire & Safety, to discuss SAM and SAM Boost—automated pressure-management systems that simplify pump operations, improve firefighter safety, and deliver consistency on the fireground. Cerrano explains how automated control reduces cognitive load, speeds troubleshooting, and allows for pump operators to focus on higher-value tasks. They cover retrofit options, real-world benefits for interior attack, how modern fuel loads change tactics, and common myths—including the idea that automation will replace pump operators.
 
For more technical detail and demos visit samflows.com. Hosted by Fire Engineering. Subscribe for more equipment reviews, tactics, and firefighter-focused tech conversations. Questions? Contact Jason Cerrano at jcerrano@idexcorp.com or reach out to your local OEM for hands-on testing today.
 
Learn more here:
https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting-equipment/tech-that-supports-the-fireground-giving-operators-the-backup-they-deserve/

On this episode of Mayday Monday, host Tony Carroll revisits an incident from April 2007, focusing on the incident commander. Jim Forgo from the Prince William County (VA) Department of Fire and Rescue details his actions at the fire that took the life of firefighter Kyle Wilson. Forgo bravely describes the chaotic scene, marked by high winds and dime-sized embers, as he explains how the crews conducted a primary search for reported occupants as conditions deteriorated rapidly. They discuss how a critical radio system failure—resulting in hundreds of blocked transmissions—clogged communication during the most desperate moments of the rescue attempt. This discussion serves as a grounded study on the stressors and technical obstacles incident commanders face.

On this episode of Fireground Strategies, guests Bobby Moran and John Lewis join the conversation. They discuss tactics, leadership, and the ever-evolving fire service. The panel members trace their careers from volunteer beginnings and the Bergen County (NJ) Fire Academy to chief roles. They talk incident command, county-level resource coordination, utility response, gas-safety outreach, staffing shortages, and the decline in volunteers. 

FDIC 2026 is behind us. Now what? In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Stephen Shaw sits down with Brian Zaitz to unpack how conference momentum translates into practical change. They discuss leveraging professional networks, mentoring and developing instructors, and why writing short, experience‑driven articles matters. Zaitz offers concrete advice for returning from FDIC: Start small and prepare for timing and politics that turn “not yet” into “now.” They debate a trend toward technical rescue and advanced EMS tools while stressing mastery of fundamentals—hose work, searches, patient assessment. They also explore examples of successful change and tips for building champions inside your department.

On this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline challenges fire service leaders to stop coasting and rebuild vital relationships within their departments. He draws on his 46 years of frontline experience, identifying seven relationship killers: 
 
1. Unmet needs. 
2. Unfulfilled expectations. 
3. Underdeveloped self-esteem.
4. Unresolved conflicts.
5. Uncontrolled thoughts.
6. Unprotected lifestyles (negative influences).
7. Unreliable commitment.
 
Cline explains how each "killer" corrodes morale, teamwork, and public safety. He gives company officers and firefighters the steps they need to follow for a true reset. Cline also frames leadership as influence, not rank, and offers the philosophy: adapt to generational change, learn from everyone, own mistakes, and cultivate a healthy organizational culture.

On this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Jeffrey Lenard, a firefighter/EMT for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, and Mike Cox, director of fire and EMS Solutions for Esri. Lenard, who is also a master public safety diver, and Cox discuss the January 2025 crash of American Airlines Flight 5342. They cover the way the response was managed, the technology involved, and how they achieved a common operating picture under very difficult conditions.
 
This podcast is brought to you by Esri: https://www.esri.com/en-us/home

Want to learn more about NERIS? On this episode of Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Tom Merrill checks in with Tom Jenkins for a four-month status report on the National Emergency Response Information System. This system went live January 1st, replacing NFIRS. They cover who's on board, common onboarding snags, and practical steps departments should take now, such as verifying their organizational record, training users with short how-to videos, engaging dispatch centers, and standardizing entries. Jenkins explains dashboards and insights reporting and the help desk and regional outreach. They also discuss why accurate timestamps, dispatch data, and interagency tagging matter for funding, staffing, and community planning.
 
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/
 
Quick favor: take our 3-minute (anonymous) listener survey to help shape what we cover next: https://sprw.io/stt-9EB04

Hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush welcome Monterey (CA) Fire Department firefighters Lou Valdez, Patrick Moore, Greg Greenlee, and Matt Harris. On this episode of Command Show, the panel discusses responding to a nightmare scenario structure fire at the Casanova apartment complex. They detail this three-story, 90-unit building and how they were able to save residents from a smoke-filled hallway. What follows is a masterclass in modern incident command.
 
This podcast is brought to you by Tablet Command. www.tabletcommand.com/get-started-lp
 
Quick favor: take our 3-minute (anonymous) listener survey to help shape what we cover next: https://sprw.io/stt-9EB04