Fire Engineering Podcast Network

The Larry Conley Show: Transforming Leadership with Real Talk and Emotional Intelligence

In this episode of the Larry Conley Show, David Conley and Larry Conley discuss their personal leadership development with the East Dubuque (IL) Volunteer Fire Department. Drawing on decades of experience, from metropolitan firehouses to small-town brigades, they share the ways their workshop reshaped team dynamics. The conversation reveals the importance of hard conversations and emotional intelligence alongside traditional firefighting skills. East Dubuque’s culture of openness and willingness to evolve shines through as firefighters embrace transparency and tackle tough talks. The episode highlights how investing time and resources in interpersonal skills can prevent costly internal conflicts and build stronger, more resilient departments.  
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Building the Analyst Community and Shaping the Future

In the latest episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes guests Joanna Zibbell, fire technology manager, Boise, Idaho, and Blake Boyd, fire and emergency services analyst, Cary, North Carolina. They discuss the emerging role of data analysts in the fire service and take a close look at evolving data maturity frameworks and the challenges of vendor data access. They also address the significance of embedding data literacy within fire departments.
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Breaking Barriers: Leadership and Women’s Voices

In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, Kim Phillips, district chief, Houston Fire Department, and Paige Colwell, battalion chief, Forsyth County (GA) Fire Department, take a close-up look at what defines leadership and management in the fire service. They explore essential leadership traits like trust, communication, and integrity, and highlight the challenges leaders face. These include everything from gaining credibility to managing personnel and navigating political pressures. The discussion emphasizes the idea that leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept.
 
Instead, leadership is situational and requires adaptability and honesty. They also address the specific hurdles women encounter in this traditionally male-dominated field. On that front they talk about imposter syndrome and heightened scrutiny, stressing the importance of vulnerability and ongoing learning. With candid stories and practical advice, the episode reveals the ways effective leadership combines motivating people, managing resources, and fostering trust.

Tactical Impact: Understanding Tenable Space and Focused Aggression

In this episode of Tactical Impact, hosts Jim Silvernail and Jason Hoevelmann sit down with Peter Morotto, acting chief of training, Bridgeport (CT) Fire Department, to unpack key firefighting tactics centered on tenable space and focused aggression. Drawing from 30 years of frontline service and extensive instructor experience, Morotto takes a close look at balance between aggressive fireground operations and firefighter safety, emphasizing the critical role of understanding building construction, fire behavior, and the modern fire environment. He shares firsthand insights from his flashover experience and highlights how coordinated fire attack, effective water application, and managing void spaces are essential.

Hooks & Hoses: Rob Grady’s Journey Through Firefighting in Gary, Indiana

Hooks & Hoses: Rob Grady’s Journey Through Firefighting in Gary, Indiana In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman sits down with Rob Grady, assistant chief of training for the Gary (IN) Fire Department. Grady shares his firefighting journey, which spans over 30 years. He recounts his transition from volunteer to career firefighter, the highs and lows of frontline duty, and memorable moments riding the heavy rescue squad. He reflects on the evolution of fire service technology and training, the physical toll the job takes, and the growing awareness of cancer risks among firefighters. Grady also discusses his role leading the department’s training division, adapting to generational changes, and instilling pride and resilience in new recruits. Along the way, he unpacks the unique history behind Gary’s iconic blue-and-red fire apparatus.
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The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Insights with Chief John Salka

The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Insights with Chief John Salka In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Chief John Salka, a seasoned FDNY veteran and lifelong volunteer firefighter, digs into the realities of today’s volunteer fire service. From recruitment challenges and background checks to the crucial role of professionalism without paychecks, Salka shares hard-earned wisdom on the true meaning of service. He reflects on the struggles of turnout numbers during overnight runs and he shares his perspective on the importance of encouraging young firefighters. He also takes a look at innovative ways his department rewards commitment. Salka stresses the power of clear expectations and communication in leadership while acknowledging the unavoidable politics within volunteer firehouses. His stories reveal a fire service filled with passionate, dedicated individuals despite tough times.   Brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.FireFacilities.com  

The Training Officer: The Nontraditional Truck Company

The Training Officer: The Nontraditional Truck Company In this episode of Fire Engineering’s Training Officer podcast, Chief Jim Silvernail of Kirkwood, Missouri, addresses the critical need for engine companies to train beyond their traditional roles. Drawing from his own  years in suburban fire service and his “The Nontraditional Truck Company,” (Fire Engineering Books, coauthored with Arthur Ashley), Silvernail emphasizes how truck company functions like search, ventilation, and forcible entry must be mastered by all crews, especially where dedicated ladders are scarce. He shares practical insights on apparatus positioning, functional standard operating guidelines, and the challenges of limited staffing in suburban districts. Highlighting the importance of a strong training culture and real-world adaptability, Silvernail advocates for preparing firefighters to handle diverse fireground roles with confidence. Brought to you by Fire Facilities: https://www.FireFacilities.com   

Generation Engine: Lessons on Engine and Truck Officer Roles from Veteran Firefighters

Generation Engine: Lessons on Engine and Truck Officer Roles from Veteran Firefighters
 
In this episode of Generation Engine, host Anthony Rowett from Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue, and Mickey Farrell, lieutenant, FDNY, dissect the critical but often overlooked roles of engine and truck officers on the fireground. Drawing on decades of combined experience, they emphasize disciplined preparation, company integrity, and the vital distinction between coaching and micromanaging during emergencies. They explore how real-world training in familiar districts builds firefighter IQ and confidence, the importance of clear communication, especially between engine and truck officers, and the impact of seasoned leadership that remains calm and authoritative under stress. Both share practical drills, such as hose stretching and water flow, that form the backbone of engine company success. The dialogue underscores the definition of true fireground leadership, which shapes not just tactics but the culture that keeps firefighters safe and effective.
 
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Tailboard Talk: Harvest Hazards, Station Upgrades, and Long-Term Planning in Rural Communities

Tailboard Talk: Harvest Hazards, Station Upgrades, and Long-Term Planning in Rural Communities In this episode of Tailboard Talk, hosts Chris Rasmussen, Craig Nelson, and Jeff Wallin discuss the realities facing rural and suburban fire departments, especially during the intense harvest season. They cover the unique dangers posed by 24-hour beet and corn harvesting operations, including driver fatigue and heavy equipment accidents, which strain often volunteer-staffed departments lacking sufficient extrication tools. The conversation then shifts to the pressing need for modernized fire stations, highlighting a recent extensive remodel prompted by structural damage. They also discuss the lessons learned around design shortcomings like insufficient dormitory space. The trio emphasizes strategic long-term planning, advocating for early land acquisition and active engagement with city officials to address community growth and evolving operational demands. Throughout the conversation, they stress the importance of collaboration between neighboring departments and deliberate communication with stakeholders to ensure continued fire service readiness.  
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The Command Post: Hiring Challenges and Best Practices with Rick Lasky and John Salka

The Command Post: Hiring Challenges and Best Practices with Rick Lasky and John Salka Rick Lasky and John Salka, hosts of The Command Post, dive into the evolving landscape of firefighter recruitment and hiring, sharing decades of firsthand experience. They discuss how societal shifts, comfort-seeking attitudes, and changing norms impact the quality and commitment of candidates entering the fire service. From robust, objective hiring processes, including physical tests, written exams, and background checks, to the dangers of letting problematic personnel resign without accountability, they unpack crucial lessons for fire departments large and small. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mentorship, community outreach, and inclusive hiring that values passion and dedication over background or identity. Highlighting real-world scenarios and successful volunteer recruitment strategies, Lasky and Salka encourage departments to continuously review and improve their hiring procedures to build a stronger, more reliable firefighting force.
 
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