Fire Engineering Podcast Network

The Command Post: Navigating Certification Challenges and Career Transitions in the Fire Service

The Command Post: Navigating Certification Challenges and Career Transitions in the Fire Service In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka take a close look at the complexities of firefighter certification across the United States. Drawing on decades of experience—from Illinois and New York to Texas and Florida—they expose the frustrating patchwork of state standards that complicate career moves and professional growth. Lasky and Salka reflect on the evolving role of firefighters, contrasting volunteer and career demands. They also emphasize the critical need for standardized, transferable certifications like Pro Board to ease transitions. The conversation also touches on the human side of the fire service: maintaining connections, balancing family life, and the importance of staying active and engaged after retirement. Through personal stories, practical advice, and sharp criticism of bureaucratic inertia, they challenge leaders to unify and simplify certification processes to better serve firefighters and, ultimately, their communities.

The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service

The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Rick Lasky and John Salka to discuss the enduring strength and value of volunteer firefighters. Despite ongoing challenges and negativity, volunteer fire departments remain a vital part of the firefighting community, comprising roughly two-thirds of all U.S. fire departments. The conversation highlights the deep commitment volunteers bring—often sacrificing family time and personal convenience. During the episode, the members of the panel explore how departments can embrace diverse roles to keep members engaged, from frontline firefighting to administrative and support tasks. They discuss innovative solutions like flexible credit for training and call availability, creative recruiting tactics, and the importance of leadership charisma in retaining volunteers. 

Fireground Strategies: Remembering 9/11 and Recognizing Dominoes on the Fireground

Fireground Strategies: Remembering 9/11 and Recognizing Dominoes on the Fireground  
In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11 by honoring the heroes and victims—firefighters, police, and everyday citizens—who stood strong during one of the darkest days in U.S. history. They explore the ongoing physical and emotional toll on responders and emphasize the importance of keeping the memory of September 11, 2001, alive for new generations.  The hosts pivot to discuss “domino recognition” in fireground safety: how small, overlooked factors can cascade into serious incidents. They also cover innovative safety programs like prefire street intelligence and line-of-duty death reviews.

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Grit, and the Fire Service Future with Chief Kris Blume

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Grit, and the Fire Service Future with Chief Kris Blume In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down with Kris Blume, Chief of Meridian (ID) Fire Department, and author of Carry the Fire. They explore the challenges and opportunities within today’s fire service—from cultivating grit and determination to building mission-driven, values-based cultures. Blume shares his career journey, the vital difference between command presence and command resonance, and how Socratic questioning can transform fire service education. The discussion explores emerging trends like the increasing role of data, technology, and mental health support. Both leaders reflect on the deep meaning behind “serving the work” and the bittersweet reality of careers shaped by camaraderie and sacrifice. For anyone invested in fire service leadership or culture development, this conversation offers practical guidance and a hopeful vision for the future.

Fire Service Court: Navigating Fire Department Contracts

Fire Service Court: Navigating Fire Department Contracts
 
In this episode of Fire Service Court, Brad Pinsky, John Murphy and Chip Comstock unpack the complexities of fire department contracts. They delve into critical contract components often overlooked, such as clearly defining fire protection services—from basic firefighting to specialized rescues and EMS—and setting realistic performance expectations, including response times. The discussion highlights the importance of transparent reporting to municipalities, ensuring they understand budget needs amid rising costs for apparatus, gear, and personnel. Legal pitfalls around insurance, indemnification clauses, and contract renewal terms are explained with practical guidance. The trio also addresses the challenge of negotiating contracts collaboratively rather than adversarially, urging departments to understand municipal concerns to secure fair funding aligned with services provided. This episode offers essential takeaways for fire departments and municipal partners aiming for effective contracts that support both operational readiness and financial sustainability.

Humpday Hangout: Water Supply and Delivery

Humpday Hangout: Water Supply and Delivery
In this episode, guest Ed Collet joins the team to discuss water supply and delivery concerns. Also, host Mike Dugan pays tribute to the fallen of 9/11 and those who continue to suffer and die from the response to the attacks. Key Hose is dedicated to the manufacture and delivery of the highest quality fire hose products, combining the best in raw materials with expert craftsmanship. Sponsored by Key Hose: www.keyhose.com.

Point of Origin: Navigating Generational Shifts and Mentorship

Point of Origin: Navigating Generational Shifts and Mentorship In this inaugural episode of the Point of Origin podcast, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake, joined by Firefighter Nation’s managing editor Stephanie White, unpack the evolving challenges within the fire service. They explore how generational gaps affect leadership, training, and team cohesion, emphasizing the need for chiefs to understand the unique learning styles and communication habits of younger firefighters. The conversation highlights the impact of societal shifts (like the pandemic) on new recruits and the importance of investing in every firefighter, whether they plan a five-year tenure or a lifelong career. Personal stories of mentorship reveal how pivotal guidance and self-reflection can unlock potential and bridge divides. The hosts call for a return to a people-centered approach, focusing on building interpersonal skills alongside technical proficiency. 

Command Show: Frank Ricci on Politics, Leadership, and the Mayday Mugging

Command Show: Frank Ricci on Politics, Leadership, and the Mayday Mugging
 
In this episode of Command Show, fire service expert Frank Ricci joins hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush to explore the intersection of fireground command, politics, and labor relations. Ricci, a seasoned battalion chief and labor leader who won the landmark Supreme Court case Ricci v. DeStefano (2009), shares his unique insights on navigating the often-overlooked political landscape that shapes staffing and operational resources. He delivers a gripping case study from a harrowing house fire in New Haven, Connecticut, where a basement blaze turned into a personal life-or-death "mugging." From missed staircases and critical communication gaps to the crucial role of RITs and command presence, Ricci’s story emphasizes vital lessons for firefighters and officers.

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Real-Time Deployment Optimization

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Real-Time Deployment Optimization
 
In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan takes a close-up look at the ways real-time deployment optimization is reshaping fire service operations. Joined by Jamie Timm, a public safety software expert with 15 years’ experience, and Captain Jason Heartisan of the Prescott (AZ) Fire Department, they explore harnessing data, geographic information systems (GIS), and CAD integrations to improve response times and resource allocation. Prescott’s story highlights dramatic results: a 90% reduction in unnecessary move-ups and a jump in call-catching efficiency from 6% to 57%, driving down average response times from 11 minutes toward the department’s 6.5-minute goal. They discuss the challenges of adoption, stakeholder collaboration, and the evolving role of predictive algorithms—which blend operations research science with local policy—to make smarter, data-driven decisions in fast-changing environments. This episode reveals how leveraging technology not only boosts operational efficiency but also addresses budget constraints and personnel workload, setting a blueprint for fire departments aiming to work smarter, not harder.

The Training Officer: A Firefighter’s Journey Through Mental Health and Healing

The Training Officer: A Firefighter’s Journey Through Mental Health and Healing
 
In this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down with Brandon Corey, who shares his raw and personal journey dealing with the mental and emotional aftermath of losing a brother in the line of duty. Corey explores the unseen wounds firefighters carry, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health training alongside traditional tactics. They discuss the gaps in existing post-incident support programs, such as critical-incident stress management (CISM), the importance of authentic peer support, and how leadership plays a pivotal role in changing the fire service culture. Brandon’s story highlights the struggle with guilt, closure, and the ongoing process of recovery, offering hope and practical advice for those silently battling their own “invisible storms.” This episode challenges the fire service to rethink how mental health is addressed—making it as integral as physical readiness—while honoring those who serve and remembering those lost.