Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Talkin' Tactics: Mentorship, Mindset, and Stigma in the Fire Service

Talkin' Tactics: Mentorship, Mindset, and Stigma in the Fire Service
 
In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts David Polikoff and Sam Villani and welcome guest Bryan Riley to explore the realities of stepping into leadership roles in high-pressure, busy fire companies.
 
Riley shares his journey from volunteer to seasoned company officer and battalion chief, highlighting the challenges of adapting quickly to unfamiliar environments. The conversation explores the critical role of mentorship in preparing new officers, the importance of humility, and effective decision making under pressure. The panel also tackles the ever-important topic of mental health, emphasizing the need for open communication, removing stigma, and supporting firefighters at all times.

Hooks and Hoses: The Nontraditional Truck Company

Hooks and Hoses: The Nontraditional Truck Company In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman talks with guests Jim Silvernail and Arthur Ashley about their new release from Fire Engineering Books, The Nontraditional Truck Company. Challenging conventional engine-based firefighting, the authors explore how truck company operations—search, ventilation, forcible entry, and overhaul—are essential regardless of apparatus. They also stress that it’s not about the vehicle, but the mindset and functional tasks firefighters embrace on scene. They unpack the “one plus one” concept, the critical link between fire attack and truck support, and the need for coordinated tactics backed by solid standard operating guidelines. The conversation also highlights the importance of fostering a truck company culture within any department, emphasizing commitment, trust, and administrative backing.

Generation Engine: Lessons from Conferences and Instructor Insights

Generation Engine: Lessons from Conferences and Instructor Insights In this episode of Generation Engine, hosts Anthony Rowett and Todd Edwards talk with guest Sean Duffy about the rapidly growing world of firefighter training conferences. They cover their grassroots efforts to bring impactful, hands-on education to local and national fire communities. The conversation tackles the importance of genuine instruction based on real experience, vetting new training companies, and the passion required to sustain such programs amidst personal sacrifices. 

Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service

Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service
 
In this episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders tackle the urgent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) alongside the complex realities of human trafficking. Monte Frank, a firefighter and emergency manager, shares the deeply personal story of his daughter’s tragic fate, underscoring the epidemic’s devastating reach. Joined by Jacob Dickman of the Chicago Fire Department, they highlight groundbreaking training efforts underway to equip firefighters and EMS personnel in urban and tribal communities with the necessary tools for identifying and assisting. The discussion reveals how culturally informed education, partnerships with tribal organizations, and specialized resources are transforming first responders into critical advocates.
 

The Command Post: Tools, Tradition, and the Firefighter's Mindset

The Command Post: Tools, Tradition, and the Firefighter's Mindset
In this episode of The Command Post, Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka take a meaningful look at the essential tools of firefighting, their care, and the knowledge behind them. From the iconic halligan’s origins in the FDNY to evolving equipment like hydraulic “rabbit” tools, they discuss how tradition meets innovation in emergency response. The hosts also emphasize leadership’s role in maintaining gear, sharing candid stories about tool maintenance reflecting company culture. They stress how new firefighters must be mentored—learning not only to wield tools but to respect their purpose and history. The discussion also highlights the critical importance of incorporating frontline feedback in apparatus design and tool mounting for greater efficiency.  

The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Turning a Volunteer Fire Department Around

The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Turning a Volunteer Fire Department Around
In this episode of the Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill welcomes Chief John Buchan of the Florissant (CO) Fire Protection District. Buchan shares how he turned a struggling volunteer fire department around in just one year—doubling membership while restoring community trust and morale. Facing low numbers, fractured leadership, and financial mismanagement, Buchan focused on realigning the department’s priorities around its volunteers and the community.He introduced a fresh organizational structure, created clear avenues for diverse roles beyond traditional firefighting, and reshaped the firehouse into a vibrant hub where members want to be. By actively listening to volunteers’ needs, strengthening mutual-aid relationships, and emphasizing professional yet personal engagement—right down to establishing a kid-friendly firehouse environment—Buchan revitalized a once “ghost town” of a station. This candid conversation highlights practical strategies to recruit, retain, and inspire today’s volunteers while fostering a sustainable, respected, and thriving fire service.

The Backstop Boys: The Lifesaving Power of Fire Codes

In this episode of The Backstep Boys, Ron Kanterman, Tom Aurnhammer, and fire protection expert Jack Murphy explore the critical role fire codes and standards play in firefighter safety and building resilience. From the origins of the International Fire Code to the political challenges of code updates, they unpack why these regulations matter beyond just paperwork. Murphy emphasizes how knowledge of building construction, apparatus access, and emergency planning can save lives during an incident. The hosts also discuss the disconnect between suppression crews and fire prevention, and why more firefighters need to engage with code-making bodies to influence smarter, safer rules. Featuring real-world examples—from flammable refrigerants to gas meter identification—and stressing the importance of preincident planning, this episode offers insight into the invisible backbone of fireground safety.

Fireground Strategies: Insights on Division Supervision, Training, and Fire Dynamics

Fireground Strategies: Insights on Division Supervision, Training, and Fire Dynamics
In this episode of Fireground Strategies episode, Battalion Chief Patrick Wirkus, of the Elizabeth (NJ) Fire Department, shares practical strategies for improving fireground command through effective division supervision. Drawing on 13 years of frontline experience and his family’s firefighting legacy, Wirkus discusses how decentralizing command at larger incidents enhances communication, reduces span of control, and improves firefighter safety. He explains the unique dynamics of mutual aid coordination in New Jersey’s densely populated Union County and the importance of continual training across career and volunteer departments. Wirkus emphasizes understanding fire behavior and dynamics, referencing new Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, and NIST research, to prevent deadly surprises like flashovers. Wirkus advocates for integrating technology like thermal imaging cameras into command post operations to boost situational awareness.

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of “Why”

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of “Why”
In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Stephen Shaw sits down with leadership expert Frank Viscuso to explore the foundations of teamwork within the fire service. Drawing on decades of experience, they discuss how a shared sense of purpose, clear standards, and authentic communication create the winning teams that firefighters rely on. They discuss why motivation ebbs and flows with life’s seasons and why leaders must be both disciplinarians and empathetic supporters—addressing challenges from burnout to social media’s impact on authority. They emphasize the power of delegation with development in mind, the significance of one-minute conversations, and the importance of showing up for each other during personal crises.

Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities

Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities
This episode of Fire Service Court covers several topics that may have your department talking. The conversation addresses the complex and often contentious issue of facial hair policies in fire departments. The discussion centers around a recent case involving a veteran firefighter whose religious beliefs require him to maintain a beard, conflicting with his city’s clean-shaven rule tied to SCBA safety standards. Experts Brad Pinsky, Curt Varone, and Chip Comstock tackle tough questions relevant to volunteer departments, EMS personnel, and accommodation challenges without compromising safety. The panel calls for updated scientific research to better inform facial hair restrictions rather than ongoing litigation. This episode offers critical insights for fire service leaders grappling with policy development, religious accommodation, and operational integrity in an evolving legal landscape.