Fire Engineering Podcast Network

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
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.

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
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”
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
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.

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of Mayday Monday. This month we review a fire from St. Mary’s County, Maryland. On June 27, 2023, several departments were dispatched for a fire in a two-story, single-family dwelling. The chief of the first-due fire company was first to arrive on scene and found heavy fire conditions on the first and second floors of the house. He established command and completed a 360o survey of the building. He confirmed fire on the first and second floors and no obvious fire in the basement. 
As units arrived, crews stretched and operated attack lines from Side A into the main entrance. Firefighters were able to make it into the first floor, but the fire had control of the interior. Firefighter Brice Trossbach, acting officer of the second-arriving engine, Engine 132, had the line when a collapse occurred. Members scrambled for the exit, but Trossbach dropped into the basement.

The Path Forward with Tom JenkinsIn this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Tom Jenkins, senior advisor/research manager for UL Fire Safety Research Institute on the NERIS project. They discuss the transformation of fire service data collection and technology through the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). Jenkins shares his experience leading this groundbreaking project, explaining why accurate, timely data is a game changer for firefighter safety, resource allocation, and community risk reduction.
 
They talk about NERIS’s modernization of decades-old practices with a firefighter-focused, adaptable platform that integrates seamlessly with existing systems ranging from rural volunteer departments to large metropolitan agencies. The discussion also reveals cultural hurdles around data in the fire service and stresses the crucial role of peer support and education in smooth transitions. With onboarding underway regionally and the old system sunsetting by the year’s end, departments must take action to avoid gaps in data reporting.

Main Street Firefighting: Lessons from a Complex Main Street Fire
In this episode of Main Street Firefighting, get an inside look at a challenging downtown fire involving legacy brick buildings with cockloft involvement—fueled by heavy winds and complicated by unique building features like spiral staircases and metal roofing. The department’s rapid third-alarm call, strategic placement of crews at front and rear, and innovative use of a drone with thermal imaging helped identify hidden fire spots and halt the blaze’s spread. Despite resource limitations in a small city setting, strong interdepartmental coordination, disciplined radio communication, and tactical roof and hose operations kept structural collapse and loss largely in check. The discussion also touches on the importance of passing knowledge to future firefighters and the value of training for unfamiliar, complex fires. This episode offers an invaluable case study for departments facing urban fires with legacy structures, sharing real-world strategies, and lessons learned that could save lives and property.

In this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline breaks down the core elements needed to build and sustain high-performance teams. Leadership here isn’t about titles or rank—it’s about clear purpose, strong communication, and unwavering accountability. Cline highlights seven key characteristics, from fostering open dialogue to cultivating trust and encouraging continuous improvement.
 
Drawing analogies from football, Cline shows how each member’s role and collaboration shape team success. The talk also covers the courage and responsibility leaders must embody, emphasizing actions over words. With practical advice on difficult conversations, leveraging team strengths, and maintaining adaptability, this episode offers a realistic framework to help you create a culture where every department member feels valued, motivated, and driven to excel.