Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Mental Health, Leadership, and the Evolution of the Fire Service

In this episode of the Point of Origin podcast, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake are joined by Dave McGlynn, host of The Training Officer. The three cover the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by fire service leaders. Drawing from their combined decades of experience, they look at the unique pressures chiefs encounter, the difficulty of finding trusted outlets, and practical strategies like writing and peer check-ins for managing stress. Highlighting the importance of authentic relationships and meaningful praise, they envision a future where leadership adapts to generational changes within the fire service.
 
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Working for a Great Firefighter Boss: Lessons from FDNY Veterans

In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka discuss what defines a great boss in the fire service. Drawing from decades with the FDNY and beyond, they share stories of inspiring leaders—from tough, no-nonsense officers to approachable mentors who genuinely cared about their crews and families. They explore how different leadership styles, whether firm or friendly, can equally motivate firefighters and create a cohesive, effective team. Lasky and Salka emphasize that the best bosses balance mission focus with personal connections, understanding the pressures firefighters face both on and off duty. 
They reflect on lessons learned under legendary officers like Pete Lund, Bill Allen, and Jimmy Murtaugh, revealing how great leadership is rooted in respect, accountability, and empathy.  
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore.https://www.TheFireStore.com

Hidden Dangers of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing: Two Personal Stories

In this episode of Two Vollies and a Guest, hosts Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth welcome Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird. Flynn and Laird share their deeply personal stories of losing their firefighter husbands to fires caused by failures in corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST), which is used in residential gas piping. They detail how lightning strikes can energize CSST, causing arc perforations and rapid, hidden fires in interstitial spaces within walls and floors. (These risks often go undetected by thermal imaging cameras.) Their firsthand experience drives a statewide push in Maryland to ban the most vulnerable CSST products, while advocating for stricter national safety standards. 
Beyond educating firefighters on recognizing and mitigating these fires, Flynn and Laird discuss the challenges families face after line-of-duty deaths, including navigating complex benefits and support systems. Through their nonprofit, Phoenix Advocates, they provide free training, data collection, and family assistance nationwide. 

Are You a Shark or a Dinosaur? Challenges in the Volunteer Fire Service

In this episode of the Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill welcomes guest Tim Pillsworth a firefighter/EMT and past chief of Winona Lake Engine Co. #2, Orange Lake (NY) Fire District. They explore how consolidation, duty crews, and embracing new training methods can help departments thrive amid rising call volumes, budget constraints, and shifting community expectations. They also address the challenge of changing local government attitudes toward firefighting priorities and the potential future of paid-on-call crews. This candid conversation urges firefighters and fire leadership to shed outdated approaches and adopt a “shark” mentality versus a "dinosaur" mindset.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Command and Tactical Coordination of Search and Rescue

Civilian victims have less time than ever before to be rescued by firefighters. Modern construction, contents, and fires create a razor-thin window of opportunity for crews to make a grab. In this episode of Command Show, hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush welcome guest Captain Justin McWilliams of Clackamas (OR) Fire. They discuss the vital intersection of leadership, communication, and aggressive search and rescue tactics in modern firefighting. They spotlight the urgent need for chiefs to actively participate in training and incident command—not as passive observers but as dynamic orchestrators of lifesaving efforts. 
Maximum coordination and minimal time to task are required. This does NOT mean more radio traffic, or centralized command. In fact, the opposite is true. A high-speed/low-drag operation begins from the top down, before the fire. Chiefs must train with their companies to ensure everyone is on the same page in order to maximize impact, anticipate and support needs.
This podcast is brought to you by Tablet Command. www.tabletcommand.com/get-started-lp

Leadership and Legacy in Volunteer and Career Firefighting

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy reflect on the challenges and rewards of a firefighting career spanning decades, from the first day as a volunteer to leading large, regional departments. They discuss motivation, mentorship, and the importance of remembering your roots, while stressing the role of company officers in nurturing growth and morale. The hosts share personal stories about adapting to evolving fire dynamics, shifting departmental cultures, and the complex transition from firefighter to leadership roles.
 
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com 

Legacy, Leadership, and Life After the Fire Service: Stephanie White

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down with Stephanie White, recently retired firefighter and current editor in chief of Firefighter Nation. They explore the complexities of building a meaningful legacy in the fire service, the emotional challenges of retirement, and the crucial role of leadership rooted in time, patience, and genuine care. White shares stories about mentors who shaped her career and reflects on how small acts of giving time create lasting impact. Together, they tackle modern challenges like isolation within firehouses and the rise of leaders who focus more on appearances than active guidance. The conversation closes with powerful reminders about balancing legacy within both the fire service and family life.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Exploring AI, Robotics, and Real-Time Data at the 2025 Technology Summit

In this episode of Fire Service Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Mike Cox and Jeff Dulin to discuss the future of technology in fire and EMS. They preview the upcoming 2025 Technology Summit International in Irving, Texas—a three-day event dedicated exclusively to fire service technology. The Summit covers data analytics, AI, robotics, advanced firefighter tracking systems, and more. The conversation highlights how real-time data platforms like NERIS are revolutionizing incident analysis and decision making, while emerging technologies such as AI-driven reporting and robotic firefighting tools promise to boost safety and operational efficiency.
They also address cultural shifts within the fire service, emphasizing the integration of technology while respecting traditional values. Key topics include strategies for budgeting AI solutions, the expanding role of smart traffic preemption in response times, and the importance of fire departments engaging with technological innovation to lead rather than follow.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com
 
 

Year-End Lessons and Goals for Fire Service Leaders

In this candid year-end episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn offers an unfiltered look at the challenges firefighters and training officers faced over the past year, from budget cuts to mental health struggles. McGlynn shares personal reflections on the psychological toll the year took and stresses the importance of including mental health in training programs.
 
He encourages listeners to assess their individual and departmental growth, identify gaps, and set realistic goals for the coming year. McGlynn challenges fire service leaders to engage in honest self-reflection, forgive past resentments, and start fresh with clear plans that benefit their teams, families, and themselves.
 
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com

Mastering Firefighting Fundamentals: Why Basics Matter More Than Ever

In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman covers the importance of being good at the basic skills and techniques of firefighting. Many firefighters want to move past the basics and train on more advanced techniques or topics. This creates a lack of a good foundation for firefighters to rely on during responses. 
Drawing on years of frontline experience, Dreiman warns against rushing to advanced specialties before solidifying essential techniques like ladder placement, hose deployment, forcible entry, and search procedures. From the perils of skipping routine checks to the impact of stress and sensory overload during emergencies, this episode is a call to return to basics.
This podcast is brought to you by TheFireStore. https://www.TheFireStore.com