Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Talkin' Tactics: Multi-Occupancy and High-Rise Fire Tactics   During the latest episode of the Talkin' Tactics podcast the hosts explore the complex world of multi-occupancy fires, focusing on garden and high-rise apartments. The hosts share firsthand accounts of challenging fires, from aggressive void-space blazes in garden apartments to intense, wind-driven high-rise infernos. They emphasize the...

Fire and Training: Leadership at the Frontline In this episode of Fire and Training, Douglas Cline sits down with Dave McGlynn to explore leadership rooted at the firehouse floor. They discuss how true leadership transcends rank, focusing on accountability, mentorship, and the critical influence of those “unofficial leaders” shaping day-to-day culture. From personal stories of veterans who inspire...

In the Books: Anthony Avillo on Fireground Strategies, Fourth Edition In this episode of In the Books, host and Fire Engineering Editor in Chief David Rodes sits down with Chief Anthony Avillo, North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire and Rescue legend and author of the bestselling Fireground Strategies. Covering over three decades of frontline experience and fire service education, Avillo shares insights...

Tactical Impact: Strategies for Short-Staffed Departments with Lt. Jake Jorgensen In this episode of Tactical Impact, hosts Jim Silvernail and Jason Hoevelmann sit down with Lieutenant Jake Jorgenson, of Watertown (SD) Fire Rescue, to discuss the realities and tactics of operating short-staffed fire departments. Watertown, a smaller city with limited personnel, faces frequent challenges responding...

Hooks and Hoses: FSRI’s Keith Stakes on Fire Dynamics, Suppression, and Ventilation Research In this revealing July episode of the Hooks & Hoses podcast, host Eric Dreiman sits down with Keith Stakes, principal research engineer at Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, and deputy chief with Bethesda-Chevy Chase (MD) Rescue Squad. Stakes shares his unique perspe...

BuildingsonFire: Rowhouse Firefighting Realities: Tactical Challenges, Command Insights, and Life-Saving Lessons   This episode of BuildingsonFire explores the evolving challenges of firefighting in rowhouses and row frames, reflecting on decades of experience and critical incidents across major U.S. cities. Veteran chiefs expose the risks posed by the aging, modified buildings that often defy con...

Women in Fire: Unique Health Challenges and Supportive Firehouse Cultures   This episode of the Women in Fire radio show covers health challenges faced by female firefighters, including heightened risks of breast, cervical, ovarian, and bladder cancers linked to fireground exposures. Panelists from fire departments across Texas, Colorado, and California share insights on the importance of gender-s...

Mayday Monday: Inside Baltimore County’s Firefighter Mayday   During this episode of Mayday Monday, Baltimore County’s Scott Ebbert, Ken Hughes, and Michael Dennis share firsthand accounts and insights from a harrowing 2023 commercial fire incident. The dialogue explores critical challenges, including delayed dispatch due to antiquated systems, the complexities of managing large battalions with mi...

The Backstep Boys: Preparing Firefighters for Violent Incidents   In this episode of the Backstep Boys, fire service veterans Ron Kanterman, Tom Aurnhammer, and guest James Salas reflect on the tragic line-of-duty death of Roswell (NM) Fire Chief Louis Jones in 2002 and recent ambush attacks on firefighters in Idaho. They discuss how these events reshaped departmental protocols, emphasizing staged...

Generation Engine: Rethinking Fire Service Training   In this episode of Generation Engine, Todd Edwards and Anthony Rowett talk about the evolving demands on the American fire service and what the future of training must address. From the harsh realities of modern emergencies, including active shooter incidents, to the overload of certifications and specialties expected from new recruits, they hi...

Tailboard Talk: Preparing for the Unthinkable   In this episode of Tailboard Talk, hosts Craig Nelson, Jeff Wallin, and Chris Rasmussen look at the realities of modern emergency response across North America. They discuss the increasing wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada, severe floods in Texas and North Dakota, and the vital role of interagency cooperation in disaster management. Drawing f...

The Command Post: Advice to the New Company Officer   In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka share important guidance for firefighters stepping into company officer roles. Drawing from decades of their own frontline and command experience, they emphasize the importance of preparation, mentorship, and embracing the full scope of officer responsibilities beyond firefigh...

Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Understanding NERIS   In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Tom Jenkins, a fire service veteran and senior advisor at Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. They discuss the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).   Set to replace the decades-old National...

Fireground Strategies: Heat, Hydration, and The Human Factor   In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Jim Duffy and Anthony Avillo cover the critical challenges firefighters face battling extreme heat. They explore how scorching temperatures and high humidity impact operational effectiveness and safety, emphasizing the strain on cardiovascular health, hydration needs, and the importance o...

Perspectives on Leadership: Advocacy, Connection, and Succession with Lindsay Judah   In this insightful episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw welcomes Lindsay Judah to explore the multifaceted responsibilities that define modern fire service leadership. Judah shares her extensive journey from firefighter to rescue chief and consultant, highlighting her passion for advocacy, educa...

The Training Officer: Leadership, Legacy, and Mental Health with Danny Arroyo   In this episode of The Training Officer, Danny Arroyo of Perth Amboy, NJ, shares candid insights from his 23-year career in the fire service. As a battalion chief and training officer, Arroyo discusses the critical balance of leading training divisions, managing seasonal operational demands, and fostering a culture of...

The Larry Conley Show: Healthy Minds   On this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with Kelsey Perkins, MSW, LCSW. Perkins is a trauma therapist who works with first responders. They discuss PTSD, EMDR therapy, the Healthy Minds Initiative, and why asking for help is a sign of leadership—not weakness. Conley gets real about his own story. His losses. His struggles. And ho...

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Artificial Intelligence In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, Eddie Buchanan sits down with Holly Buchenroth and Jeff Butcher to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on fire service training and operations. Drawing from their extensive experience in emergency medical education and firefighting, they break down AI’s role—from ge...

BuildingsonFire: Row House Challenges, Construction, and Operations Part 3 In this episode of the BuildingsonFire podcast, host Christopher Naum dives into the complexities of rowhouse construction and its direct impact on firefighter safety and fireground operations. Drawing from recent line-of-duty death investigations in Baltimore and Philadelphia, Naum highlights how predictable building featu...

Women in Fire: Peer Support, Therapy, and Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Service   In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker explores mental health challenges faced by firefighters and first responders. Baker welcomes guest Taylor Montey, a lieutenant with Poudre Fire Authority, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Julie Nelson, a firefighter-paramedic with South Metro (CO) Fire...

Talkin' Tactics: Mentorship, Mindset, and Stigma in the Fire Service   In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts David Polikoff and Sam Villani and welcome guest Bryan Riley to explore the realities of stepping into leadership roles in high-pressure, busy fire companies.   Riley shares his journey from volunteer to seasoned company officer and battalion chief, highlighting the challenges of adapti...

Hooks and Hoses: The Nontraditional Truck Company   In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman talks with guests Jim Silvernail and Arthur Ashley about their new release from Fire Engineering Books, The Nontraditional Truck Company. Challenging conventional engine-based firefighting, the authors explore how truck company operations—search, ventilation, forcible entry, and overhaul—are...

Generation Engine: Lessons from Conferences and Instructor Insights   In this episode of Generation Engine, hosts Anthony Rowett and Todd Edwards talk with guest Sean Duffy about the rapidly growing world of firefighter training conferences. They cover their grassroots efforts to bring impactful, hands-on education to local and national fire communities. The conversation tackles the importance of...

Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service   In this episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders tackle the urgent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) alongside the complex realities of human trafficking. Monte Frank, a firefighter and emergency manager, shares the deeply personal story of his daughter’s tragic fate, underscoring the epide...

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 re...