Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Inside Fire Service Legislation with Fire Marshal Spencer Willet

In this episode of the Point of Origin podcast, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake get into the complexities of fire service legislation with guest Dr. Spencer Willet, a Virginia firefighter and EMT who is deeply involved in legislative efforts. They explore how the legislative season impacts firefighters and fire marshals, highlighting the importance of a unified voice across volunteer and career departments. Willet shares insights from his work in Virginia’s state capital and discusses ways firefighters can engage with lawmakers, even when time and resources are tight. They address challenges like code cycles and emerging safety issues like electric vehicle fires. They also talk about the crucial role fire chiefs play in empowering their teams to participate. 
 
 

BuildingsonFire (Re-Run): Taking It to the Streets: Resolutions for 2025

This episode originally ran on December 26, 2024.
What's on your streets and in your first-due area? Host Chris Naum shares some thoughts on building construction resolutions for the new year.

Hose, Nozzle, and Flow Tactics: Expert Insights from Jerry Herbst

In this episode of Two Vollies and a Guest, veteran firefighter and training expert Jerry Herbst dives into practical fire attack strategies that every department needs. With 45 years in the fire service and extensive experience as a training officer and equipment specialist, Herbst breaks down the critical relationship between hose sizing, nozzle reaction, and flow rates. He stresses the importance of flow testing with gauges and meters to move beyond unreliable friction loss estimates. 
Herbst also shares proven tactics for managing larger lines like 2½-inch hose and portable deck guns, emphasizing consistency and efficiency. This is especially critical when manpower is limited. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the need for effective, repeatable plays that prioritize safety and occupant survival.
 
 

Lights and Sirens on Every Call vs. Due Regard

On this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Dave Denniston, fire commissioner, Virgil (NY) Fire District, and past chief of department, Cortlandville (NY) Fire Department, joins host Tom Merrill to discuss driving with due regard and embracing the mindset that just because the pager activates or the rooftop siren sounds does not mean members need to respond with lights and sirens. The two practical solutions and ideas for ensuring all members drive with due regard.
 
 

Evolving Firefighter Culture in Modern Fire Departments

In this episode of Generation Engine, Mike Rumsey reflects on his 34-year firefighting career spanning Georgia's Cherokee County and the city of Atlanta. He contrasts “the good old days,” shaped by smaller crews and blue-collar roots, with today’s fast-paced, data-driven fire service. The discussion explores the ways evolving safety protocols like rapid intervention team drills have enhanced firefighter training without dampening their aggressive spirit. Growing call volumes, skyrocketing housing costs, and shifting priorities around work-life balance pose new challenges in recruitment and retention. Rumsey also emphasizes the necessity of strong, positive leadership to combat workplace toxicity and support firefighters’ personal goals. Communication, accountability, and genuine care stand out as critical to maintaining morale and performance. While technology and social media expose firefighters to more knowledge than ever, the core of the job remains teamwork and adapting culture to meet today’s realities on the fireground and in life.
 
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Firefighter Excellence: From Academy Foundations to Peak Team Performance

In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka explore what it truly takes to create outstanding fire service teams. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience from iconic departments like FDNY and emerging leaders in Texas, they discuss how disciplined training at the academy lays the groundwork for transforming new recruits into confident, competent firefighters. 
The conversation highlights the importance of strong leadership, mentoring, and tailored coaching, balancing toughness with care, to move individuals from weakness through strength to greatness. They examine the diversity of leadership styles and personalities that contribute to a resilient, high-performing firehouse culture.  

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.