The Carolina Fire Watch

You asked for more, and we listened! Earlier this year, we explored the challenges of getting water to the fireground. Based on listener feedback, we're revisiting the topic with additional experience, practical lessons, and a deeper look at how fire departments can make their water supply systems work when the demands of an incident exceed what's immediately available. In this BONUS EPISODE of Th...

What happens when an emergency becomes bigger than the fire department? In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, Hurricane Helene becomes the starting point for a much bigger conversation about emergency management and the fire service. Brian Kelly is joined by Chief Scott Rogers, Executive Director of the North Carolina Emergency Management Association and retired Nash County Emergency Service...

When a large fire starts creating problem after problem, who owns the problem? And how does an Incident Commander keep the incident manageable when the size, complexity, and number of problems continue to grow? In this September episode of The Carolina Fire Watch , Brian Kelly sits down with A.C. Rich, retired Battalion Chief with the Raleigh Fire Department , to discuss command lessons from the M...

What began as a routine residential structure fire on December 15, 2025, quickly became one of the most significant firefighter survival stories in recent North Carolina history. A violent explosion. Twelve injured firefighters. One department's culture put to the ultimate test. This month on Carolina Fire Watch, Battalion Chief Lauran Franklin of the Salisbury NC Fire Department joins host Br...

Every firefighter has a call they'll never forget. Not because it made the headlines. Not because it was the biggest fire. But because it changed the way they think, the way they train, and the way they lead. In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, produced in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters' Association (NCSFA), host Brian Kelly sits down with Assistant Chief Pa...

In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, host Brian Kelly sits down with Chief Quentin Cash of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to discuss Firefighter Safety Stand Down 2026 and this year's theme, "Fit to Serve, Fit for Life."Firefighter wellness is about more than physical fitness. It includes sleep, recovery, nutrition, behavioral health, injury prevention, and creatin...

What does the fire service have to do with politics? More than most firefighters realize. In this episode of Carolina Fire Watch, we sit down with Chief Steven Roberson of the City of King Fire Department and President of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, along with Deputy Chief Doug Bissette of Wilson Fire-Rescue Services, to break down the real impact of Fire Service Legislativ...

🚨 Ready When the Call Comes: Inside North Carolina’s SERT Program 🚨 What does it really mean to be ready when the state calls? In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, we break down the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and how fire departments across North Carolina coordinate, deploy, and respond during major incidents. From wildfire season to hurricanes this is a system every firefighter...

What happens when pride, planning, and purpose collide? This month on The Carolina Fire Watch, we explore the evolving mission of the fire department and what it means to lead in a time of growth, shifting expectations, and increasing scrutiny. From turf challenges to strategic planning and community risk reduction, this episode tackles the big questions facing today’s fire service: • Are we opera...

In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, we take an in-depth look inside the QVC Distribution Center fire, one of the largest structure fires in North Carolina history, and break down what it took to manage an incident of this scale. We’re joined by Chief Cooke, who helps set the tone by explaining the VFD district, the response area, and how the initial request for assistance quickly expanded...

In the inaugural episode of the Carolina Fire Watch podcast, hosts Brian and Barry discuss the importance of the state roster for firefighters in North Carolina, highlighting its implications for training, benefits, and community engagement. They delve into historical insights from the Newland Fire Department, outline monthly segments for the podcast, and emphasize the significance of scholarships...